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But for the grace of God

Have you come across the expression “There but for the grace of God, go I?”

Wikipedia informs us that the saying has been attributed to a mid-16th century statement by an English reformer named John Bradford: "There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford.”  He was referring to a group of prisoners being led to their execution. In a sad irony, John Bradford was later executed himself. *

The Cambridge online dictionary has this to say about the expression: “said when something bad that has happened to someone else could have happened to you.” #

There’s an implication in the saying that you may well deserve the misfortune you’ve witnessed occur to someone else. Therefore you are lucky not to suffer those consequences.

It’s notable though that generally when the expression is used, although God is referred to, it is a reference without any real meaning. It’s ironic then that God’s grace, along with his other qualities, are responsible for everything we have. Consider these passages from God’s bible.

“… Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:25 (NIV)

“If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.”  Job 34:14-15 (NIV)

It’s pretty clear from these bible words that God’s grace is responsible for a great deal more than what is covered by John Bradford’s saying! Everything we have comes from God, including each breath we draw. That covers the right now. But God’s grace can give us so much more than the right now. The details are in his book. All we have to do as a starting point is to read it!

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/there-but-for-the-grace-of-god-go-i