There is something about that three-letter word “but.” “But” is used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned. In other words, the word “but” negates or cancels everything that goes before it. It is generally accepted as a signal that the really important part of the sentence is coming up.
One of the things I learned from Pastor Laura at The Way Middleton as we studied the reasons why God removed the anointing from Saul, is that King Saul hedged his repentance. He would say, “I have sinned,” but then would explain, rationalize, or justify his sin. [1 Samuel 15]
To give Saul grace, we have to admit he was not the first one to hedge his repentance with “but.” When Adam and Eve succumbed to the temptation in the Garden of Eden, they did the same thing when God confronted them.
Genesis 4:12-13: “Then the man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.’ And the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” [HCSB]
Eve disobeyed God, “but” blamed the serpent. Adam disobeyed God, “but” blamed God – “The woman whom You gave to be with me….”
When we repent, we need to stop with “I have sinned,” and never include a “but.” Sinning is never justified. Sinning can never be explained. Sinning cannot be rationalized. Sinning is simply sinning. And repentance is always to be repentance.
There are no “buts” in repentance.
