"But Wait!"

“But Wait!”

(“The Deal of a Lifetime?”)

(A cooperative venture with Karen)

Karen and I were in a Wal-Mart in New Hampshire about 15 years ago when we saw a group of shoppers in the aisle ahead. We were curious (ok, nosy) so went to the edge of the crowd and saw a man describing a kitchen knife. After showing its virtues on assorted fruits and vegetables he announced, “This amazing tool can be yours for the low price of $10.” Having seen such demonstrations at the New York State Fair we knew what came next so Karen helped him by calling out, “But wait!” The observers chuckled and the salesman became frustrated as he got sidetracked from his script. (The rest of the story is that we bought the knife, including the bonus throw-ins, and it still cuts as well now as it did then.)

Infomercials clog the late night airwaves hawking various “you-can’t-live-without-this” items. The ads are slick and grab the attention of night owls. But almost always there’s a “But wait!” to sweeten the pot. The question is, Is the deal worth waiting for? Sometimes it is as was our purchase, but often the presentation is much better than the product, which we realize when it fails to live up to its hype.

There’s a phrase which by my count appears at least 20 times in the New Testament epistles: “But now….” It introduces something different and better from what was written immediately previously. It’s as if the writers are saying, “But wait! Here’s something far better than before.” One example is the contrast between our former lives and our new life in Christ: “For you were once darkness, but now (or but wait) you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light….” (Ephesians 5:8, emphasis added). However, probably the most important distinction is described by Paul in Romans 3:20-21: “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in (God’s) sight by observing the law; rather, though the law we become conscious of sin. But now (or But wait) a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known….” (Emphasis added). The apostle makes clear that in no way can we commend ourselves to God by what we do (or don’t do) but His providing redemption through Christ has made our relationship with Him possible (“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:22).

The product promoters may claim to have the deal of a lifetime. Is it? Good as it may be, it’s only for this earth. God is offering the deal of all eternity: being with Him forever. That’s something worth waiting for.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan