The Invisible Adversative Particle

The title of this post implies that the article will address a technical issue, but nothing could be farther from the truth. In reality, the adversative particle is nothing more than the word “but.” I jokingly chose the title “The Invisible Adversative Particle” because often we make issues more difficult that they actually are. Often, the message of the Bible is crystal clear, but we ignore the teaching or try to make it more unclear than it actually is.

What am I getting at? Let me give you an example:

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14). Sometimes, a believer who is contemplating marriage to an unbeliever will hear this clear verse that prohibits such a union and respond, “Yeah, but . . . .” In other words, the believer understands what Scripture teaches, but is unwilling to accept the message and is looking for a loophole.

2 Corinthians 6:14 is not a unique text - - we run the risk of treating any biblical passage in the same way when we do not submit ourselves to God’s Word and determine to obey Him no matter what.

Let’s refuse to use the word “but” when we approach Scripture, but proclaim “thus says the Lord” and commit ourselves to live according to God’s Word instead of twisting to suit our purposes!