The last two weeks in morning service on Sunday, I have talked about the idea of what I called "good buts". This is when you say, "I know I should, but..."
I've been thinking about this and Sarah and I were talking about it last night and I have a different way I want to approach it here.
When it comes to our walk with God, there are good buts and bad buts.
A bad but is like what I have been describing on Sunday. "I know I should read my Bible, but...", "I know I shouldn't do this, but..." We know what the right thing to do is but we talk ourselves out of it. We explain why that is not an option for us. "I'm too busy, tired, I want it too much, I'm too weak willed, its not that bad..." etc. etc.
Now a good but looks different. "I want to do this, but..." "I don't want to do this, but.." Jesus actually had a good but. He says, "My Father, let this cup pass from me, BUT not my will, but yours be done."
So the difference between a good but and a bad but is which will is being put aside when you say but. If you know God's will, but you set it aside with a but, than that is not a good sign for you. If you are admitting your own weak will, and set it aside with a but, than you are dying to self and living for God. Best to have a good but.
