"If"

Propositional Statement

As Christians, we must trust God in our “if” season by understanding what it is considering, accepting its conditions and receiving its consequences. Every “if” has considerations, conditions (decisions), and confirmations.

Have you Ever said “If”

If. 'If' always propelled my thoughts back to the present, because 'if' depended so much on keeping my wits about me. I couldn't properly sense things if I was distracted. 'If' demanded my full presence and participation in 'now. 'If', as much as it scared me, also kept me sane.”

—Ransom Riggs

The land of “if” presents considerations, conditions, and confirmations that all humanity has and will face. It is a two letter word, but it has the ability to affect lives in so many ways. The word “if” introduces a conditional clause on the supposition that; in the event that. It is a conjunction, meaning it can connect two clauses to form a single sentence by presenting the conditional clause. In other cases, the word “if” is considered as a noun, which refers to a condition. “If” introduces conditional clause while “but” disconnects the consequences from unfavorable conditions. We all use the word “if” to outline our expectations and our response to either the conditions being met or rejected. For example, we use if to bring our certain behaviors that produce our desired results. As kids, you used the word “if” to get your parents to fulfill a request even though you were not prepared to fulfill your own conditions. People use the word if, and for some it is a trigger word that opens the path to decisions that a person may or may not be ready to make. Yet, the if sits there looming over conversations and interactions, waiting for two parties to (1) act on the conditions, and (2) release the consequences from said conditions. The if season comes not to shake of faith, but test our resolve to do God’s will at all times. The difference between God’s if and our if is that God can actually keep his end of the bargain, while people are iffy on their if’s. If is a danger emotionally, mentally, and psychologically as it can cause you to relive times that God has delivered you from and put in a compromising position. The if in your life can either bring your closer to the Lord or drive you farther away. The if in your life can turn you around or upside down....the if in your life can open doors and shut doors…the if in your life can bring peace or create chaos…the if in your life can strengthen your faith or devolve your faith into doubt....

Chapter 14 in Context

After the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead, the religious leaders conspired to kill him, while some in the crowd saw Christ as the Messiah, others still did not believe in him. Jesus remains in Bethany as he knew his time was coming to an end. As they prepare to celebrate the Passover, Jesus washes his disciples feet much to the chagrin of Peter, predicts his betrayal by Judas and his denial by Peter, who wanted to go with the Lord Jesus, declaring he was in fact ready to die. The mood of the supper shifted from a time of celebration and fellowship, to a mournful and somber time. It is in this moment their faith was fleeting as their hopes dashed against the rocks of Jesus’ revelation. He settles the room by speaking to their hearts, promising a better world to come, and when it is ready he would come back to get them. It is in this chapter that another I AM statement in verse 6: that he is the way, the truth, and the life. Andrew desires to see the father, yet Jesus said they have seen the Father and granted them the privilege to ask for what they will. Jesus uses the moment to not only provide comfort, but to introduce an “If” and a prophecy of the coming of the Holy Spirt. The expediency of Jesus’s departure provides the runway for the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, Comforter, Paraclete would come and guide them into all truth. He goes on to say the world cannot receive Him because they do not recognize him. Judas asks why Jesus would only reveal himself to them and the world at large. He confirms verse 15 eight verses later by asserting that everyone who loves him will “do what he says.” Love is the guiding principle to obey God and again he reiterates that the coming of the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth. He leaves them with a peace of mind and hear, a peace that the world could not give them. Though he’s leaving, he promises to come back again.

Consideration

Why would Jesus question their love for him at this juncture in ministry? They forsook all and followed him…Andrew, James, John and Simon Peter left their family business…Matthew left his tax collecting duties…and no doubt the others left business, family, and kindred to follow this man claiming to the Son of Man. Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes said: “If you don’t know me by now, You will never, never, never know me.” The “if” did not question whether they knew him, but it questioned their commitment to him. The word if here is ean, meaning a point of time which is somewhat conditional and simultaneous with another point of time. Jesus is preparing the disciples for his imminent departure, and yet again he desired to know if they loved him. At this point, even with all the news he wants to know if they loved him. The word love here is agapoo, meaning to have love for someone or something, based on sincere appreciation and high regard. Often, we take God asking us if we love him in a negative sense

If Scriptures

Revelation 3:20 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

1 John 1:7 ESV

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Matthew 21:21 ESV

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.

Luke 11:13 ESV

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Colossians 3:13 ESV

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Mark 11:25 ESV

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

2 Corinthians 5:1 ESV

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Exodus 15:26 ESV

saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”

Deuteronomy 28:1 ESV

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.

1 John 4:15 ESV

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.