“Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.””
(Luke 9:61–62, RSV)
(Luke 9:61–62, RSV)
In the middle of a counseling session, a man turned to his wife and said, “I’m frustrated by your inability to be reasonable. I’m not happy in this marriage. I love you, but….” As these words poured forth, the woman held up her hand as he said, “but…”. She looked directly into his eyes and responded, “Why does your love for me always come with a “but”? Why do you say things like, “I like how you look, but…”, “I think you’re great, but…”, “You did a great job, but…”, “I love you, but…”? Why does there always have to be a “but”?”
When you put a “but” in a sentence, it implies you have a reservation. There are negatives. There is another side to the coin. If you say you love God, “but”, then you are implying to God that there are negatives to your relationship. I’ve known plenty of people who limited their relationships with “buts”. There are friends who limit the friendship to what is enjoyable. There are spouses who have limited love for one another, afraid of full commitment. People even limit their relationship with God. They think things like, “I love you God, but I can’t do this”, “I believe in you God, but I can’t tithe”, “Forgive me God, but I couldn’t help myself”. There are situations when a condition like “but” is important and useful. On the other hand, there are also moments when a “but” wrecks the whole conversation or relationship.
As an example to the point above, look at the scripture for today. While teaching, Jesus quoted a “would-be” follower who said, “I will follow you, Lord, BUT let me first say farewell to those at my home” (Luke 9:61). Jesus took the “but” in this sentence as a limitation. The person did not want to follow Jesus until he had done something “first”. Something stood in the person’s way before following Jesus. When you let something come first before God, putting conditions on the relationship, God does not take it kindly. If you will only follow Jesus if He is willing to accept your conditions, the relationship will not work. The "would-be" follower in this passage of Luke may have been sincere, but his need to go home before following Jesus set parameters to faith. Jesus wanted a total commitment by this man. Instead, Jesus got conditions and reservations.
Are there times you want to do what God tells you, BUT you have limitations or reservations? Are there times you delay doing what you know is right by God, because you have doubts? Do you hesitate to do something you know God wills out of fear or how it may look to others? It is never a good thing to put conditions in your relationship with God. No “ands, ifs, or buts” about it.
The opening years of the Civil War did not go well for the Union Army. They had several significant defeats at the Battle of Bull Run in 1861, the First Battle of Lexington in 1861, and the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. There were smaller skirmishes around these, but these big battles made the Union Army look weak and President Lincoln’s hopes for a quick end to the war look more and more in doubt. At a good number of battles in these years, Lincoln and some of his generals got very upset at losses where the Union Armies were well positioned. One time, Lincoln got so frustrated at the hesitancy and reluctance of the Union commander George McClellan, that Lincoln sent this commanding general a reprimand in one sentence: "If you don't want to use the army, I should like to borrow it for a while. Respectfully, A. Lincoln." (“Today in the Word”, July 18, 1993).
When you hesitate, put conditions on, and limit your relationship with God using “buts”, it won’t bode well. God already knows all the “buts” that could apply and is asking for your full commitment. Yes, there are times when you should stop and think about what is happening. There are situations where thoughtful wisdom is needed. However, when God wants something done now, why would you hesitate? If Jesus needs you to let something go immediately, why would you drag your feet? Jesus told the “would-be” follower in the scripture for today that “NO ONE who put his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). God, at times, wants total commitment for a task; not your doubts or restrictions.
Was there a time in your life when you hesitated and should not have? Are you dragging your feet on something that needs to be done right now? If God wants something done ASAP, what would ever make you want to wait? When several of the disciples were called to ministry by Jesus, one sentence was used in the Bible to describe their response to Jesus: “Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.” (Mark 1:18). They IMMEDIATELY left their nets… no hesitancy, no BUTS!
When you put a “but” in a sentence, it implies you have a reservation. There are negatives. There is another side to the coin. If you say you love God, “but”, then you are implying to God that there are negatives to your relationship. I’ve known plenty of people who limited their relationships with “buts”. There are friends who limit the friendship to what is enjoyable. There are spouses who have limited love for one another, afraid of full commitment. People even limit their relationship with God. They think things like, “I love you God, but I can’t do this”, “I believe in you God, but I can’t tithe”, “Forgive me God, but I couldn’t help myself”. There are situations when a condition like “but” is important and useful. On the other hand, there are also moments when a “but” wrecks the whole conversation or relationship.
As an example to the point above, look at the scripture for today. While teaching, Jesus quoted a “would-be” follower who said, “I will follow you, Lord, BUT let me first say farewell to those at my home” (Luke 9:61). Jesus took the “but” in this sentence as a limitation. The person did not want to follow Jesus until he had done something “first”. Something stood in the person’s way before following Jesus. When you let something come first before God, putting conditions on the relationship, God does not take it kindly. If you will only follow Jesus if He is willing to accept your conditions, the relationship will not work. The "would-be" follower in this passage of Luke may have been sincere, but his need to go home before following Jesus set parameters to faith. Jesus wanted a total commitment by this man. Instead, Jesus got conditions and reservations.
Are there times you want to do what God tells you, BUT you have limitations or reservations? Are there times you delay doing what you know is right by God, because you have doubts? Do you hesitate to do something you know God wills out of fear or how it may look to others? It is never a good thing to put conditions in your relationship with God. No “ands, ifs, or buts” about it.
The opening years of the Civil War did not go well for the Union Army. They had several significant defeats at the Battle of Bull Run in 1861, the First Battle of Lexington in 1861, and the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. There were smaller skirmishes around these, but these big battles made the Union Army look weak and President Lincoln’s hopes for a quick end to the war look more and more in doubt. At a good number of battles in these years, Lincoln and some of his generals got very upset at losses where the Union Armies were well positioned. One time, Lincoln got so frustrated at the hesitancy and reluctance of the Union commander George McClellan, that Lincoln sent this commanding general a reprimand in one sentence: "If you don't want to use the army, I should like to borrow it for a while. Respectfully, A. Lincoln." (“Today in the Word”, July 18, 1993).
When you hesitate, put conditions on, and limit your relationship with God using “buts”, it won’t bode well. God already knows all the “buts” that could apply and is asking for your full commitment. Yes, there are times when you should stop and think about what is happening. There are situations where thoughtful wisdom is needed. However, when God wants something done now, why would you hesitate? If Jesus needs you to let something go immediately, why would you drag your feet? Jesus told the “would-be” follower in the scripture for today that “NO ONE who put his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). God, at times, wants total commitment for a task; not your doubts or restrictions.
Was there a time in your life when you hesitated and should not have? Are you dragging your feet on something that needs to be done right now? If God wants something done ASAP, what would ever make you want to wait? When several of the disciples were called to ministry by Jesus, one sentence was used in the Bible to describe their response to Jesus: “Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.” (Mark 1:18). They IMMEDIATELY left their nets… no hesitancy, no BUTS!