What If…What Then?
Two posts ago, I talked about the “if, then(s)” in Scripture. For you computer programmers, you understand the relationship. If I hit a specific key, then a specific response will happen…every time. It’s how all software works. It also plays a role in our everyday life. If I flip the switch, then the lights come on. When the if-then(s) of life don’t work the way they should, we know we have a problem. I submit that it’s no different in the spiritual realm. And it works both for God and us. For example, in Genesis 18, Abraham was negotiating with God over the destruction of Sodom. God told Abraham, “If I find 50 righteous, then I will not destroy the city (v.26).” Condition—promise.
Sometimes, the if-then is implied, as in Ps. 84:11, “…no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” If we walk uprightly (condition), then He withholds no good thing from us (promise). The Bible is filled with promises from God that have this conditional element (if-then).
Are you struggling with trusting God
because you think He’s not listening to your prayers? I suggest you examine your adherence to the “if(s)” before you blame God. Here’s the best part. The promises—what God will do—are all spelled out for us, along with the “if.” Seems like a simple decision. If I want the promised blessing, then I choose to meet the condition. Here are a couple examples.
Remember God’s discussion with Pharoah (through Moses)? “If you refuse to let them go (condition), [then] behold, I will smite your whole territory with frogs. (promise)” (Ex. 8:2).
If you are looking to know God more,
to understand His ways, to increase in wisdom, then Proverbs 2 has a great promise, “(v.1) If you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, (v.2) make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; (v.3) If you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; (v.4) If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; (v.5) Then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God…(v.9) Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course, For wisdom will enter your heart…” What is the basic “if” clause here? How do we “receive [God’s] words, treasure [God’s] commandments?” We MUST renew our minds as Paul wrote to the Romans (12:2). We must spend time in God’s word reading, meditating, memorizing it so that when we speak, the good treasure that fills our heart is what comes out (Matt. 12:34,35).
I didn’t say it would be easy,
but is anything that is valuable and worthwhile? Name one other thing that will survive the coming destruction of this earth besides the Word of God. That should be a clue as to the value God places on His Word. The Proverbs 2 verses above liken our mind-renewal to searching for gold, silver, and hidden treasure. Have you ever considered the Bible in that light?
Why spend so much time on this issue? Many of us blame God for our circumstances when what we should be doing is accepting responsibility for our own laziness and poor choices. We’re not unlike the Israelites who constantly grumbled after their release from Egypt. But if you read about them, you’ll find that they rejected God’s rules, turned their back on Him, embraced other gods, and generally thumbed their collective noses at their rescuer, their provider and protector. Can you blame God?
Often, we allow the “good”
in life to consume us rather than working through the “better” and persevering all the way to the “best.” For those of us who call Christ Savior and friend, the devil is happy to distract us from the narrow path and get us to camp out at the “good,” knowing that our witness, our ministry to others is most effective when we strive for the “best.” He knows he can’t take our salvation, but if he can sideline us, it’s as close to a win as he can get.
If we want a closer relationship with our Father, His Word is the answer: “Establish Your Word to Your servant as that which produces reverence for You” (Ps. 119:38). I can’t say it any plainer. You want to grow in your faith, know your Father better, trust Him for everything in your life, you have to spend time with Him in His Word and prayer.
This is meant as an encouragement to focus on the only truth we can build our lives on. Some of you may take it as judgmental. That’s probably the Holy Spirit convicting you, calling you to stay on the narrow path and press on to the “best.” Come up with a list of Biblical if-then(s) and see if that helps your understanding. Thanks for reading.