Once again though we know and are humbled by the revelation of our flesh and our depravity let us also pray and focus on the nevertheless. Let us see by His grace and mercy the completion in the “but if I depart”. I pray that through Him we see this “but” in light of His finished work, and rest in the Comforter that has come. May He strip away any ignorance and press in our hearts His truth.
Extra Credit: Going with the continuing and eternal theme I found this short article from John Gill. The title originally caught my eye in which the whole of the gospel of how a just God can save an unjust sinner is wrapped up in just these two words, ”But Christ”
Jhn 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
- Why was it expedient for Christ to go away now?
Nevertheless, "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." (Romans 3:10-12). Although the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5). Despite that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: (Jeremiah 17:9) And that "The wicked are estranged womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies." (Psalms 58:3), "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23) Not with standing that "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19) Nevertheless They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. (Psa 14:3).
Nevertheless He died and atoned our sins. In spite of the justice we deserve He provided His Son so that God may be both just and justifier of all who believe. Although there are none righteous Christ was made sin so that we may be made righteous. Despite our harden heart He turns us from our old man and gives us a new heart. Not with standing our depravity and position He has a Mediator that intercedes and speaks to the Father our prayers. Nevertheless Christ has died, risen, and ascended to the Father and He will send the Comforter unto you.
"‘Unless I go away,’ that is, unless I die, nothing will be done you will continue as you are and everything will remain in its old state: the Jews under the law of Moses, the heathen in their blindness—all under sin and death. No scripture would then be fulfilled, and I should have come in vain" (Martin Luther).
