day no. 15,745: the doctrine of but rather

I want to discuss the doctrine of but rather. We see this in many places stated verbatim and even more mentioned by implication. Here is the basic set up. When you see, "but rather" you should understand that whatever follows is the antidote to whatever preceded it. Additionally, if the imperative that follows is not obeyed, it will produce the predicament warned against prior to the "but rather." Once you get the gist, it is simple to apply and profound to ponder. God is giving us insight into how we work and what drives what. Let me give you some examples:

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

If you do not fear God who is able to destroy your soul and body in hell, you will fall into the temptation of fearing men who can only kill the body. The imperative is to fear God because the predicament of disobedience in this manner is to be afraid of and maneuvered by men.

Luke 10:20
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

If you do not rejoice primarily in the grace shown to you in being adopted and inked into Heaven's guestbook, you will fall into the temptation of rejoicing that you are gaining mastership over spiritual things on earth. If you are not anchored in upward gratitude, you will be carried away by downward attitude. You will fall into the temptation of being excited over your mastery of the things that matter to you rather than humbled by being mastered by things that matter to God.

Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath

If you do not give room for God's wrath, you will give way to the temptation to take vengeance yourself. You will attempt to execute justice and you will fall short and gain wrath for yourself for your trouble.

Ephesians 4:28
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

If you do not work hard with your own hands, you will be tempted to take and steal things from other people's hands. If you only see your needs, you will be tempted to ignore other's needs by taking things from them.

Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

If you do not reprove the works of darkness, you will have friendship with them. If you don't actively break ties with them, you will passively break bread with them. If you don't actively hate and despise evil, you will be tempted to be attracted to them. If you don't resist them, you will find yourself drifting into them.

Ephesians 5:4
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

If you do not give thanks, you will be tempted to make light work of weighty matters. If you are not actively giving gratitude, you will be passively giving attitude. When you refuse to appreciate the weight of grace, you apply levity to serious things and speak and think in filthy ways about the world around you. When you don't appreciate it, you depreciate it.

1 Timothy 6:2
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service,

If you do not serve where you are, you will be tempted to despise those who serve above you. If you do not seek to serve your local church, you will fall into criticizing those who serve you by leading. The less you seek to be of service, the more you feel compelled to critique the service of leadership you're receiving.