I would dare say that "if" is an extremely important word in the scriptures. The word "if" is so important because it speaks directly to our responsibility to God. When the Bible mentions God's blessings and promises, it is often proceeded by the word "if." Yet, people, myself included in this, want to forget the "if" part of God's blessings and just accept them.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, GA) writer Patricia Holbrook says in her article Fulfilling God's promises requires faith and action: "Many of God's promises are conditional, requiring initiation from our part. Abraham would not have received his promises, had he refused to leave Chaldea. Later on in the Gospels, 10 lepers would not have been healed, had they not obeyed Jesus' instructions to show themselves to the priest. They left the master's presence with bodies still covered in wounds. As they obeyed and trusted Jesus' command, healing took place. There is a time to pray, a time to plan, and a time for action."
Throughout the scriptures, God gives us, His children, certain conditional promises. And if we keep these promises, God will surely act on our behalf.
The first, and most important promise is that of regeneration. You see, from the very beginning, mankind has been under the curse of sin due to our first parents falling to Satan's tempting persuasion in the Garden of Eden. ( Genesis 3:1-7 ) And ever since the fall, all mankind has been born in a state of unregenerate sin. However, God has given mankind a conditional promise, which was first promised at the time of the garden fall ( Genesis 3:15 ) and has continued through to the age of grace.
God promised SALVATION to all those who, by faith in God's free grace, ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ) confessing with their mouth and believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord and Savior. ( Romans 6:23 ) ( Romans 10:10 ) ( 1 John 1:9 ) ( John 3:16 ) ( John 8:36 )( Isaiah 1:18-19 ) ( 1 Cor 15:2 )
There are many other conditional promises in scripture. Here's just a few:
God will promise to be with us forever ( Hebrews 13:5)
God will give us perfect rest (Matthew 11:28)
God will work all things to our good (Romans 8:28)
God will establish a kingdom throne ( 1 Kings 9:1-6 )
God will give you strength ( Isaiah 41:10 )
God will except you if you do what's right ( Genesis 4:7 )
God will except you if you obey Him ( Exodus 19:5 )
God will help you if you are not corrupt (Deuteronomy 4:25-26)
God will except you if you obey His laws ( Deuteronomy 7:12 )
God will except you if you don't follow other gods ( Deuteronomy 8:19 ( Deuteronomy 11:13-15, 22,23 )
God will bless you if you obey Him ( Deuteronomy 11:26-28 )
God will bless you if you don't listen to false prophets ( Deuteronomy 13:1-3 )
God will forgive you ( Matthew 6:14-15 )
God will help you in your faith ( Matthew 17:20 )( Luke 17:6 ) ( Matthew 21:22)
God will give us eternal life if we keep His word ( John 8:51 ) ( John 11:40 )
God's strict warning (Revelation 22:18-19 )
Then, in ( 2 Chronicles 7: 14 ) we see one of the most well-known conditional promises of god. One which is quoted frequently. Especially, in the age we are living. God gives His people a Biblical paradox. Here, God gives a big "if" followed by a big " I will". And these paradoxes are simply stated.
Conversely, God's word tells us that in the last days, a sinful life style will emerge. ( 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 13 ) However, here we have another Biblical paradox. For in ( 2 Timothy 3:14-15 ) the scriptures tell us that we, as Christians, have a contrasting option, in that we have known and believed the scared writing of the scripture from our very childhood.
You see, God will always do what he has promised, if we will do the same. This, however, requires our full commitment, obedience and cooperation. To receive these conditional blessings, we must adhere to the stipulations He has given.
The first, and most important promise is that of regeneration. You see, from the very beginning, mankind has been under the curse of sin due to our first parents falling to Satan's tempting persuasion in the Garden of Eden. ( Genesis 3:1-7 ) And ever since the fall, all mankind has been born in a state of unregenerate sin. However, God has given mankind a conditional promise, which was first promised at the time of the garden fall ( Genesis 3:15 ) and has continued through to the age of grace.
God promised SALVATION to all those who, by faith in God's free grace, ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ) confessing with their mouth and believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord and Savior. ( Romans 6:23 ) ( Romans 10:10 ) ( 1 John 1:9 ) ( John 3:16 ) ( John 8:36 )( Isaiah 1:18-19 ) ( 1 Cor 15:2 )
There are many other conditional promises in scripture. Here's just a few:
God will promise to be with us forever ( Hebrews 13:5)
God will give us perfect rest (Matthew 11:28)
God will work all things to our good (Romans 8:28)
God will establish a kingdom throne ( 1 Kings 9:1-6 )
God will give you strength ( Isaiah 41:10 )
God will except you if you do what's right ( Genesis 4:7 )
God will except you if you obey Him ( Exodus 19:5 )
God will help you if you are not corrupt (Deuteronomy 4:25-26)
God will except you if you obey His laws ( Deuteronomy 7:12 )
God will except you if you don't follow other gods ( Deuteronomy 8:19 ( Deuteronomy 11:13-15, 22,23 )
God will bless you if you obey Him ( Deuteronomy 11:26-28 )
God will bless you if you don't listen to false prophets ( Deuteronomy 13:1-3 )
God will forgive you ( Matthew 6:14-15 )
God will help you in your faith ( Matthew 17:20 )( Luke 17:6 ) ( Matthew 21:22)
God will give us eternal life if we keep His word ( John 8:51 ) ( John 11:40 )
God's strict warning (Revelation 22:18-19 )
Then, in ( 2 Chronicles 7: 14 ) we see one of the most well-known conditional promises of god. One which is quoted frequently. Especially, in the age we are living. God gives His people a Biblical paradox. Here, God gives a big "if" followed by a big " I will". And these paradoxes are simply stated.
Conversely, God's word tells us that in the last days, a sinful life style will emerge. ( 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 13 ) However, here we have another Biblical paradox. For in ( 2 Timothy 3:14-15 ) the scriptures tell us that we, as Christians, have a contrasting option, in that we have known and believed the scared writing of the scripture from our very childhood.
You see, God will always do what he has promised, if we will do the same. This, however, requires our full commitment, obedience and cooperation. To receive these conditional blessings, we must adhere to the stipulations He has given.
As you find promises in the Word of God, stop and consider the condition that may be attached. God’s promises and blessings are not ours to enjoy regardless of how we live the Christian life; but it’s as we die to self and learn the character of Christ that we begin to see the rewards of God’s blessing upon our lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment