Big Buts in the Bible

For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. Image from: mysunrise.org A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: Big Buts in the Bible Big Buts in the Bible I. The eternal salvation of men is entirely dependent on buts in the Bible. II. Buts get in the way of fallen man obtaining eternal life. 1. All men are sinners (Rom 3:23), and the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). 2. They could try to get themselves out of this predicament, BUT there are insurmountable obstacles in their way. A. They could try really hard to not sin in order to live eternally, BUT all men are born dead in trespasses and in sins (Rom 5:12; Eph 2:1-3), and there is not a just man upon the earth that doeth good and sinneth not (Ecc 7:20). B. They could try to do works of righteousness to obtain favor with God, BUT all their righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isa 64:6). C. They could try to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, BUT they can't because they aren't His sheep (Joh 10:26). D. They could try to listen to Jesus' words and learn how to get eternal life, BUT they can't hear His words (Joh 8:43-47). E. They could try to understand God's word to become righteous, BUT there is none that understandeth (Rom 3:10-11). F. They could try to seek God, BUT there is none that seeketh after God (Rom 3:11). G. They could try to walk in God's ways, BUT they are all gone out of the way (Rom 3:12). H. They could try to be profitable to impress God, BUT they are together become unprofitable (Rom 3:12). I. They could try to do good to get on God's good side, BUT there is none that doeth good, no, not one (Rom 3:12). J. They could try to speak nicely to people with hopes of convincing God to like them, BUT their throat is an open sepulchre, with their tongues they have used deceit, the poison of asps is under their lips, and their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness (Rom 3:13-14). K. They could try to be gentle and kind to their neighbors to get God to reconsider His judgment against them, BUT their feet are swift to shed blood, and destruction and misery are in their ways (Rom 3:15-16). L. They could try to live in peace with their fellow-man to obtain God's blessing, BUT the way of peace have they not known (Rom 3:17). M. Since the fear of Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Pro 1:7) and wisdom (Pro 9:10), prolongs days (Pro 10:27), is a fountain of life (Pro 14:27), and tendeth to life (Pro 19:23), they could just fear God and have life, BUT there is no fear of God before their eyes (Rom 3:18). N. They could try to become friendly with God and desire to be at peace with Him, BUT their carnal mind is enmity against God (Rom 8:7). O. They could try to subject themselves to the law of God to find favor with Him, BUT they are not subject to the law of God, neither can be (Rom 8:7). P. They could try to please God to obtain life, BUT they that are in the flesh cannot please God (Rom 8:8). Q. They could try to believe the gospel in order to acquire eternal life, BUT the preaching of the cross is foolishness to them (1Co 1:18). R. They could try to receive the truth of the word of God which the Holy Ghost teaches to obtain eternal life, BUT the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God because they are foolishness to him (1Co 2:14). S. They could try using their freewill to choose God, BUT eternal salvation is not of him that willeth (Rom 9:16; Joh 1:13). III. Fallen mankind have been shown to be utterly unable to save themselves, and would therefore all be going to hell, BUT God decided to have mercy on some of them and save them from their sins. 1. God knew from before the foundation of the world that mankind would be corrupted by Adam's sin, BUT He chose to save some of them and make them holy and blameless before Him anyway (Eph 1:4). A. The elect didn't choose to be in Christ, BUT rather it's of God that we are in Christ Jesus (1Co 1:30). B. The elect did not choose Jesus, BUT He chose them (Joh 15:16). C. Many are called by the gospel which calls all men everywhere to repent (Act 17:30), BUT few are chosen (Mat 22:14). D. Not many wise and noble are chosen, BUT God has chosen the foolish, weak, and base of the world to be His elect (1Co 1:26-28). E. Sinners can will and run all they want, BUT election is of God that calleth and sheweth mercy (Rom 9:11,16). 2. We were sinners worthy of condemnation, BUT God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). A. We didn't love God, BUT He loved us and sent Jesus to die for us (1Jo 4:10). B. We were walking according to the course of this world as wicked children of the devil, BUT God, who is rich in mercy and love, saved us by His grace (Eph 2:1-5). C. We were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another, BUT despite that, in His kindness and love, God saved us by His grace (Tit 3:3-7). 3. God's elect are not saved by anything they do (their works), BUT according to God's own purpose and grace given them before the world began (2Ti 1:9). A. Our salvation is not by works of righteous that we have done, BUT according to God's mercy (Tit 3:5). B. We are not justified by our faith or works, BUT by the faith of Jesus Christ (Gal 2:16). C. God's elect have never been saved by any animal sacrifice, BUT only by the blood of Christ (Heb 9:12; Heb 10:11-14). D. They can't be saved by their wealth, BUT only by the precious blood of Christ (1Pe 1:18-19). 4. God's children were vile sinners prior to their conversions, BUT they obtained mercy because of their ignorance and unbelief (1Ti 1:13-16). 5. The gospel is foolishness to those who perish, BUT unto us which are saved and effectually called from death unto life, it's the power of God (1Co 1:18; 1Co 1:23-24). 6. It is impossible for men to be saved on their own, BUT with God all things are possible (Mat 19:23-26).