The Two Most Powerful Words of the BibleThe Two Most Powerful Words of the Bible
The Hope Recovery Podcast
Greg Schmalhofer connects Ephesians 2:1–10 with addiction recovery, centring on the phrase “But God” as a picture of divine intervention and grace. He reflects on past sin, present renewal and the call to help others as part of a faith-based sober life.
17:49•18 May 2026
“But God”: The Two Words Bringing Hope to Recovery
Episode Overview
- Remembering past sin and brokenness can build gratitude for God’s rescue and help prevent returning to old ways.
- Without God, people are driven by the desires of the flesh and mind, which can include addictions like drugs and alcohol.
- The phrase “But God” in Ephesians 2:4–5 highlights God’s mercy and intervention even when someone feels spiritually dead.
- Salvation is described as a free gift: “by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God, not a result of works.”
- Those in recovery are encouraged to see themselves as God’s workmanship, created to do good works and help others in recovery.
“From then on, the addict is just killing the pain. Sin is like that… You don’t use it, it uses you.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? This episode of The Hope Recovery Podcast heads straight for the heart of that question by focusing on what Greg Schmalhofer calls “the two most powerful words of the Bible”: “But God.” Speaking directly to people in recovery and those wrestling with their faith, Greg walks through Ephesians 2:1–10 and ties each section to common struggles with addiction.
He first reminds listeners of their past, quoting Paul’s blunt assessment: “you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked.” Greg explains that remembering where you came from isn’t about shame, but about gratitude for what God has already rescued you from. He then tackles the “desires of the flesh and the mind”, linking them to modern temptations like drugs, alcohol, porn and gambling.
A striking line from the Life Application Bible commentary drives this home: “From then on, the addict is just killing the pain… You don’t use it, it uses you.” Greg gently urges regular devotional time as a way for God to renew the heart and mind from the inside out. The centrepiece of the episode is the phrase “But God”.
Greg highlights Ephesians 2:4–5: “But God, being rich in mercy… even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” He encourages listeners to recall their own “but God” moments in recovery, where things looked hopeless but something changed. Greg also stresses that “you are saved by grace through faith… it is the gift of God, not a result of works,” keeping the focus on grace rather than performance.
Finally, he explains that sobriety and salvation aren’t just for ourselves: “we are his workmanship… created in Christ Jesus for good works,” and shares how his late friend Russ Hamer found purpose in helping others in recovery. If you’ve ever wondered whether God could really use someone with your past, this episode might help you see your story very differently.
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