You ever read one of Paul’s epistles and hit that moment where everything flips? You’re cruising through his argument, then BAM—he drops a “but now.” It’s like the spiritual equivalent of changing gears mid-race. These “but now” passages aren’t just throwaway phrases; they’re pivotal, heavy with meaning, the heartbeat of grace theology if you know how to hear them. For those of us who rightly divide the Word of Truth, these moments crack open the old way to reveal the new covenant reality in Christ Jesus.
Why should we care about “but now”? Because it’s the boundary marker between law and grace, between bondage and freedom, between the old man and the new man. It’s Paul’s way of saying, “Listen up, what used to be true doesn’t hold anymore—there’s something better.” It’s the gospel in a microcosm.
The “But Now” Shift in Paul’s Message
Take Romans 7 for example. Paul talks about the law, sin, and death like he’s trapped in quicksand. Sin is crouching at the door, the law exposes it, and death seems like the final nail. Then, out of nowhere, he declares, “But now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). That simple phrase, “But now,” signals the seismic shift from condemnation to justification.
Notice how he doesn’t just gloss over the old reality. He respects it, acknowledges its grip, but then jolts the reader into the present tense of grace. It’s like saying, “Yes, you were under the law before. Yes, sin reigned. But now, that’s history. You’re not there anymore.” Paul doesn’t just add grace on top of law like frosting on a cake—he tears down the entire old system and builds a new identity on grace alone.
Breaking Free from Legalism’s Shackles
If you’re familiar with the legalistic Christianity that tries to cram believers back under law’s heavy yoke, these “but now” statements are like a breath of fresh air. Paul repeatedly emphasizes that the believer’s position is no longer defined by the law’s impossible standards but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
In Galatians 3:23-25, Paul explains how the law was our guardian until Christ came, but “now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.” That “now” isn’t just a word; it’s a declaration that the age of law-keeping as a means to righteousness is over. It’s a moment that every grace believer lives for—a moment that says, “Freedom in Christ has arrived.”
What Does This Mean for the Believer Today?
It means we’re not trying to earn God’s favor through works or religious hustle. Our position is secure in Christ’s finished work. When Paul says “but now,” he’s painting a spiritual before-and-after picture, and we live firmly on the “after” side. Sometimes we get caught in the trap of revisiting our old bondage—law, guilt, striving—thinking that’s how God relates to us. But Paul’s “but now” passages slap that thought upside the head.
Here’s the kicker: Paul is not talking about us trying harder or being better versions of ourselves. He’s declaring a new status, a new identity, a brand-new standing before God. We are seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), and that reality is anchored by these “but now” truths.
Digging Into Specific “But Now” Passages
Ephesians 2:1-10 is a goldmine. Paul paints a grim picture of spiritual death and trespasses, then flips the script with “But God, being rich in mercy…” and later “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near.” Those two “but” moments define the entire gospel experience. We were dead in sin, separated from God, utterly hopeless, and now—now there is mercy, life, and closeness.
Another mind-blower is Romans 6. Paul asks, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” and answers with a strong “By no means!” Then he says, “But now, you have been set free from sin.” The “but now” here is a declaration of victory, a new walking pattern empowered by the Spirit.
The Danger of Missing the “But Now” Moment
If we overlook these “but now” passages, we risk sliding back into an Old Covenant mindset. We might find ourselves trying to make God love us through our efforts or fearing that our failures mean condemnation. Paul’s “but now” is a full stop to that attitude. It’s a reminder that our past, our sin, our failures, all those things are nailed to the cross. What counts is the new reality that Christ’s resurrection power brings to us.
Sometimes, I catch myself forgetting that freedom, especially when life gets messy or when I feel like I’m failing. Those “but now” verses reel me back to the gospel’s center. They’re like spiritual coffee, jolting me awake to the grace that stands firm irrespective of my performance.
Seeing “But Now” Through a Grace Lens
For grace believers, these passages validate everything we hold dear about God’s unmerited favor. We don’t earn salvation; we receive it. We don’t maintain our righteousness by our works; we live by faith in what Jesus completed. Paul’s “but now” isn’t an invitation to complacency but an invitation to rest in Christ’s finished work and walk in the newness of life.
You can’t overstate how liberating it is to get this. Once you grasp that “but now” means your standing with God isn’t hinged on your law-keeping, everything changes. Your relationship with God shifts from a contract to a covenant, from striving to thriving, from fear to peace.
If you want to meditate on these transformative truths daily, you might find encouragement at Verse for the Day. It’s a helpful resource for staying grounded in Scripture and keeping the “but now” reality fresh in your heart.
Why “But Now” Passages Should Shape Our Teaching and Living
When we teach, preach, or disciple, these “but now” passages must be front and center. They guard us against legalism and false grace alike. They remind the believer that their identity is not in what they do but in what Christ has done. And they fuel boldness—knowing you’re not bound by your past or by the law.
Living out these truths means embracing grace as a daily reality, not just a theological concept. It means waking up each day with a “but now” mindset, confident you’re walking in a new covenant, new creation status that nothing can undo.
Pulling It Together
If you’re still wrestling with trying to reconcile law and grace, these “but now” passages are your compass. They point you toward a gospel that is full, free, and finished. Paul’s genius was not in complicating the gospel but in illuminating the glorious transition from the old way to the new life in Christ.
So the next time you read “but now,” pause. Let it wash over you. It’s Paul’s way of saying, “Forget the past. Look here, the kingdom has come, and you’re living in it.” That’s not just theology; that’s life. And it’s yours for the taking.