IF

A life-insurance ad appeared on TV the other night. I don't remember a thing about the ad except for the word "Life" which they showed with the middle letters "IF" in caps. The thought came to mind that truly life is full of "IF's." My second thought was, "I'm thankful there are no "IFs" with God. Then promises started coming to me left and right with "IFs" in them!

Of the thousands of promises appearing in the Good Book, how many of them have conditions attached? In other words, they have "IF's" that we need to fulfill in order for God to keep His Word. (We need to differentiate between facts and promises. For example, Malachi 3:6 is a statement of fact, not a promise: "I am the Lord; I change not.")

On the other hand John 15:10 is a promise: "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love . . ." There's a condition there for us to meet "IF" we want to abide in God's love, and that is that we keep His commandments.

The word "IF" doesn't always appear per se, but it is implied. Try the well-known verse in Matthew 7:7: "Ask, and it shall be given you . . ." etc. In other words, "IF" we ask it will be given to us; "IF" we seek, we will find; "IF" we knock, the door will be opened unto us.

Try Isaiah 23:6: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." In other words, "IF" you do your part of keeping your mind fixed on the Lord and trusting Him, He'll do His part in giving you His peace.

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) We're often burdened with the cares of life, but we can enjoy God's rest "IF" we come to Him.

"No good thing will he withhold from them ["IF" they] walk uprightly," declares Ps. 84:11.

There's a condition to God's promises -- there's our part "IF" we want Him to do His part.

I guess this is similar to the last blog about "Sentence Fragments." Don't be guilty of trying to claim God's promises "IF" you don't meet the conditions!

Like life, God's Word is full of "IF's" also!

Preacher's Kid