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NOT, BUT Introduction: We use many phrases to get across our ideas. Figures of speech "Hungry as a Bear", "Snap your head off" to name two. Language allows us to craft our message in different ways to emphasis different ideas. The Bible does the same. For instance, Paul calls the word of God "The sword of the spirit" is the word of God, Ephesians 6. The heart is used to refer to man’s intellect, emotions, and will. The church is compared to the parts of the physical body to teach individuality yet unity as each part has its own function but each is working for the good of the body. One style is the use of "NOT" followed by the word "BUT". At times we use the two words to mean one thing is prohibited and the other is allowed or desirable. For instance; I did not want a hamburger, but a chicken sandwich, or, I did not say bring me a comb, but I want to go home. At other times we use the "NOT", "BUT" to stress one point by comparing it to the 1st point. For instance: I am not sending you to school to have fun, but to learn. We are not saying we want our children to not have fun but the primary reason for going to school is to learn. Mistakes happen when we do not understand which way the "not", "but" phrase is being used. I) Examples of Prohibiting Some Activity A) Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, Romans 12.2 1. This world is use to refer to the sins of this world. 1 John 2.15 a. Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, 1 John 2.16 b. Will pass away, 1 John 2.17 c. The ways of this world is in contrast to what God wants. 2. But be transformed a. You can not be transformed into the image of God and at the same time be conforming to the ways of this world. b. We must change in how we think and act, Point is made in Romans 8.1,4; 12.16 B) Not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith, Romans 12.3a 1. A little pride is not all right with God. a. It is not ok to have a little division in the body of Christ. b. The context in the next verses is about unity in the body. 2. We ought to be sober which means serious minded realizing we are all a part of the same body. a. We have not room to boast about our individual greatness for without Christ we are nothing. b. Emphasizing what we owe God. C) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good, Romans 12.21 1. Verses 17-20 address the tendency of people to want retribution and want it now. a. It is easy to strike back at people when evil was done unto them. i.e. Gossip, malice, and so on. Matthew 5.43 2. When people do evil unto you do good unto them. In a way it heaps coals of fire on their heads. Perhaps troubles their conscience because you are doing good when they have done evil. D) Not under law but under grace, Romans 6.14-15 1. Does this mean there is no law? If so then there is no sin for sin is transgression of the law. 2. The point is we are no longer under the law of Moses. It was abolished when Christ died on the cross, Colossians 2. a. We are under the law of Christ, Romans 8.2 II) Examples of Emphasizing One Point Over Another A) Not to fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell, Matthew 10.28 1. Does this mean I should not be afraid when a person is trying to kill me? a. Paul left Jerusalem when they found out there were people trying to kill him, Acts 9.29-30 b. We are to use common sense and lock our doors, do not go into a rough part of town at mid-night, such gets close to tempting God. c. Paul appealed to Caesar when it was discovered there was a plot to kill him, Acts 25.11 2. The emphasis is on the soul, the one we have to fear is the one will the ability to kill or condemn the soul. a. Why? The soul is eternal, the body is temporary. b. Eternity in hell is the worst possible thing that can happen to a person. B) Ananias did not lie to man, but to God, Acts 5.4 1. Ananias did lie to man, Acts 5.1-9 a. The lie was misrepresenting the price of the land and saying they were giving it all to the needy saints. b. They lied by implication 2. Of greater importance was the lied to God, they sinned against Him. a. All sin is against God, Joseph in Genesis 39 realized this principle. b. When we sin against our fellowman we are sinning against God. C) God sent Christ NOT to condemn the world, BUT to save, John 3.17-21 1. Some mistakenly believe no one will be condemned. a. Leads to the doctrine of Universalism, all will go to heaven. b. So they say it prohibits the teaching of hell. The problem is it contradicts other Bible passages that plainly teaches people will be condemned. Matthew 7.21-23; 7.13-14 c. Therefore it can not mean no one will be lost. 2. The emphasis is on Christ came to save mankind a. Man was already condemned before Christ came, John 3.16 b. God did not have to send Christ for man to be condemned, Christ came so man can be saved. D) Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, 1 Corinthians 1.17 1. Does this mean one should not be baptized? a. Paul did baptize Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas, 1 Corinthians 1.14,16 b. Christ did tell His disciples to baptize people, Matthew 28.18ff 2. The point is that Paul was sent to preach the Gospel. The person doing the baptizing is not as important as the reason they are baptized. a. We are baptized into the body of Christ, for the remission of sin. Conclusion: How do we know when it is prohibiting an activity and when it is stressing one idea over another? Look at the context and if some thing is prohibited in another passage then it is prohibited in this passage also. D.T. @ Westside church of Christ 03.25.07 |