Grace in Galatians (Part 109): Two of the Most Powerful Words In the Bible: BUT GOD!

https://youtu.be/lquox9rY0-Q

Today, we continue our series entitled “Living the Grace Life,” where we will learn to embrace and walk in God’s unmerited, unearned, and often undeserved favor throughout 2025.

As part of this series, I am teaching a verse-by-verse exposition of the book of Galatians.

Key scriptures for this year:

(2 Corinthians 9:8 TPT)

"Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do."

(Galatians 5:4 TPT)

"If you want to be made right with God by fulfilling the obligations of the law, you have cut off more than your flesh—you have cut yourselves off from Christ and have fallen away from the revelation of grace!"

(Romans 6:14 ERV)

"Sin will not be your master, because you are not under law. You now live under God's grace."

(1 Corinthians 15:10 CEV)

"But God treated me with undeserved grace! He made me what I am, and his grace wasn't wasted. I worked much harder than any of the other apostles, although it was really God's grace at work and not me."

Scripture we will study today:

(Galatians 3:22 ERV)

“But this is not what the Scriptures say. They say that the whole world is bound by sin. This was so that the promise would be given through faith in Jesus Christ to those who believe.”

Supporting scriptures:

(Romans 3:9-10 NLT)

“Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous—not even one.'”

(Romans 3:22-24 NLT)

“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

(Ephesians 2:1-5 NLT)

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”

(Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT)

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

(1 John 1:8 NLT)

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.”

Setting the Stage:

Yesterday, we looked at how the Law revealed our need, and grace met our need. Today, I want you to see something powerful in this verse that religious people often miss: the COMPREHENSIVE nature of the problem and the COMPREHENSIVE nature of the solution! Paul says the Scripture concluded that ALL are imprisoned by sin. Not some. Not most. ALL!

This is critical because religious pride wants to create categories of people: the “good” people and the “bad” people, the “moral” people and the “immoral” people, the “churched” people and the “unchurched” people. But God’s Word levels the playing field completely! When God says ALL are imprisoned by sin, He’s not leaving anyone out. The pastor needs grace just as much as the prostitute. The church member needs grace just as much as the criminal. The missionary needs grace just as much as the murderer!

Paul makes this same point in Ephesians 2 when he says, “ALL of us used to live that way” and “by our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” Notice the language: ALL of us, just like everyone else. Paul is emphasizing that nobody gets a pass! We were ALL dead in our sins. We ALL followed the course of this world. We ALL lived according to our sinful nature. There were no exceptions!

But here’s where Ephesians 2 gets really powerful! Right in the middle of this universal death sentence, Paul inserts two of the most powerful words in all of Scripture: “But God…” We were dead, disobedient, and doomed. But God, rich in mercy and great in love, gave us life! Those two words change EVERYTHING. They are the hinge on which your entire destiny swings. Without “But God,” we’d all still be dead in our sins. With “But God,” we’re alive in Christ! 

So, what does this mean for you today? A few things.

1. The Problem Was Universal: ALL Were Dead in Sin (Including You).

Paul doesn’t say “most people,” or “some people,” or “really bad people.” He says ALL are imprisoned by sin. In Ephesians 2, he goes even further: we were all DEAD because of our sins! Not sick. Not weak. Not struggling. DEAD! 

How this applies to you:

— Stop comparing yourself to other people to make yourself feel better! Religious people love to say, “Well, at least I’m not as bad as that person.” But Paul says in Ephesians 2 that ALL of us used to live that way! You might have been in a different cell, but you were in the same prison. You might have had different sins, but you were just as dead spiritually! 

— This removes any justification for spiritual pride and religious superiority. You can’t look down on anyone when you realize that you were in the exact same condition before grace reached you! Paul says we were ALL subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

— Understanding that ALL were dead helps you have compassion for people who are still in bondage to sin. You’re not better than them; you’re just delivered! So when you see someone still struggling, your response should be, “If it were not for the grace of God, that would be me!“

— The fact that ALL were dead means YOU were dead too, no matter how “good” you thought you were! Even if you grew up in church, even if you’ve never committed what society calls a “big sin,” you were still spiritually dead apart from Christ. You may think, “Well, I never had a baby out of wedlock. Or, I never got a divorce. Or, I never took drugs. Or, I have never been arrested.” Okay, cool, but you were still DEAD in your trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:3 says we were, by nature a child of wrath. This should keep you humble and grateful.

— Being dead means you had no ability to save yourself! A dead person can’t resuscitate themselves. They need someone from the outside to give them life. That’s what Jesus did for you! Ephesians 2:5 says, “Even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” You couldn’t save yourself; you needed a Savior. And praise God, you got one!

— When you understand that ALL means ALL, you realize that the worst sinner and the best religious person were in the same predicament. ALL needed resurrection life, and ALL who believe receive it!

— The “But God” pattern runs throughout Scripture! David understood this in Psalm 34:19 when he wrote, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Notice the pattern: bad news (many afflictions), “but the LORD” (the game-changer), good news (delivers from them all)! This is how God operates!

— This universal death serves a divine purpose: to eliminate any possibility of human boasting! If everyone was dead, then no one can claim they contributed to their own resurrection. It’s all grace from start to finish! Ephesians 2:9 says, “Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” This keeps the glory where it belongs: on Jesus, not on you!

2. The Solution Is Universal: Grace Made ALL Believers Alive in Christ!

Here’s where it gets exciting! If the problem was universal (ALL were dead), then the solution is universal too (grace gives life to ALL who believe)! Ephesians 2:4 starts with two of the most beautiful words in Scripture: “But God…” We were dead, disobedient, deceived, and doomed. But God! He’s rich in mercy! He loved us so much! And even though we were dead, He gave us life!

How this applies to you:

— The same word that declared you dead (ALL) is the same word that makes you eligible for life (ALL who believe)! You don’t have to wonder if you’re “good enough” for God’s resurrection power because it’s not based on how good you are; it’s based on how rich God is in mercy and how much He loves you!

— This means no one is excluded from God’s life-giving grace except those who refuse to believe! It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been, or how far you’ve fallen. Ephesians 2:5 says, “It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!” God’s grace is bigger than your sin, and His mercy is greater than your mess!

— Since salvation is available to ALL who believe, this should fill you with a passion to tell everyone about Jesus! Everyone you meet is eligible for resurrection life. The drug addict on the corner, the executive in the boardroom, and the teenager in rebellion: ALL can be made alive in Christ by believing! They that call upon the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED!

— When you’re sharing the gospel, you never have to wonder if the person you’re talking to can be saved. The answer is always YES if they believe! 

— The simplicity of this should astound you: ALL were dead in sin (that’s the bad news), but grace gives life to ALL who believe (that’s the GOOD NEWS)! It’s not complicated. It’s not conditional on your performance. 

— In your daily life, when the enemy tries to disqualify you from God’s promises by focusing on your performance, you remind him that God’s blessings come by grace (unearned), and you receive them by faith. Your job is to believe in God’s goodness!

3. Salvation Is a Gift You Receive, Not a Reward You Earn.

Look carefully at Ephesians 2:8-9: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” This is huge! Salvation is a GIFT, not a reward. You don’t earn a gift through good behavior; you simply receive it with gratitude!

How this applies to you:

— Stop putting pressure on yourself to “earn” your salvation or “maintain” your salvation through perfect performance! Ephesians 2:8 says you can’t take credit for salvation because it’s a gift from God. Your job isn’t to earn the gift; your job is to receive the gift that grace freely offers!

— The fact that salvation is a gift and not a reward means it’s not based on your performance. Ephesians 2:9 explicitly states, “Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done.” So stop trying to qualify for something that’s already been qualified through Jesus’ finished work on the cross!

— Since salvation is a gift, you can help others receive it too! When someone says, “I could never be good enough for God,” you can tell them, “Good news! Salvation isn’t about being good enough. It’s about receiving the gift that grace offers through faith in Jesus!” Share the good news that God’s gift is accessible to ALL who believe!

— Don’t confuse the gift of salvation with a reward for good works. Paul specifically separates these two concepts in Ephesians 2:8-9. Your good works don’t earn salvation; your good works are the result of salvation! Verse 10 goes on to say we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, but the works follow salvation; they don’t produce it! I work BECAUSE I am saved, not TO BE saved!

— In practical terms, when you’re believing God for something (provision, healing, breakthrough), remember that everything in Christ is received as a gift, not earned as a reward. You’re not trying to accumulate enough “good behavior points” to qualify for God’s blessing. You’re receiving by faith what grace has freely given through Christ!

4. “But God” Changes Everything: From Death to Life, From Wrath to Mercy!

Ephesians 2:4 contains two of the most powerful words in all of Scripture: “But God.” We were dead. We were disobedient. We were under God’s wrath. But God, rich in mercy, great in love, gave us life! Without those two words, you’d still be dead in your sins. With those two words, you’re alive in Christ!

How this applies to you:

— No matter how bad your situation looks, never forget those two words: “But God!” You might be facing what seems like impossible circumstances, overwhelming challenges, or devastating losses. But God is rich in mercy! But God loves you with great love! But God can turn it around!

— In your personal testimony, the most powerful part is the “But God” moment. You were headed in one direction (destruction, addiction, depression, rebellion), but God intervened! But God saved you! But God changed your trajectory! Never downplay your “But God” story because it’s a testimony to God’s grace!

— When the enemy reminds you of your past, you remind him of your “But God!” Yes, you were dead in your sins. But God made you alive! Yes, you were a child of wrath. But God adopted you as His own child! Yes, you were far from God. But God brought you near through the blood of Christ!

— Apply the “But God” principle to every area of your life. Your health report says one thing. But God says you’re healed! Your bank account says one thing. But God says He’ll supply all your needs! Your circumstances say one thing. But God has the final word, and His Word always overrides your situation!

— Make this your daily confession: “I was dead in my sins, but God made me alive in Christ! I was under wrath, but God showed me mercy! I was far away, but God brought me near! I was imprisoned by sin, but God set me free! Everything changed because of ‘But God,’ and I’m living proof of His amazing grace!”

That's enough for today.

Declaration of Faith:

Father, I used to be imprisoned by sin and dead in my trespasses, BUT I called upon the name of Your Son and You saved me!

I was dead in my sins, but God made me alive together with Jesus!

Salvation is not a reward I earned through good works; it’s a gift I received by grace through faith!

I can’t take credit for my salvation because it came from You, and I can’t boast about it because it’s all by grace!

My “But God” testimony is proof of Your amazing grace, and I will never stop declaring what You’ve done for me!

I don’t earn Your blessings through performance; I receive Your gifts through faith!

I am Living the Grace Life, and GREATER IS COMING FOR ME!

I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!