The big “if”! Have you ever noticed that God’s blessings are free, but conditional? God is a good God and He desires to bless His kids…like any good Father! Goodness is fundamental to God’s character. While the Lord is good, His promises are not automatic. He’s not the “candy man” blindly doling out blessings. He has our best interest in mind and often His promises are “conditional.”
Sometimes, we get mad at God for our difficulties because we have the faulty idea that we can be the lord of our own lives and still walk in all of God’s goodness…it doesn’t work that way. We need to fully obey the Lord! We can’t “cherry-pick” the Word – sleep around, party all night, cheat on our taxes, lash out at people, be loose with our mouths – and say, “Well praise God, He’s good all the time….” If we’re living a life that’s not pleasing to the Lord, we may not qualify for the blessings. In the same way that an earthly parent won’t lavish blessings on a child who’s walking in foolishness, disobedience or rebellion…neither does God.
The “if/then” principle is foundational. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, then you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) We cannot be saved “if” we don’t confess and believe in Jesus. If we confess our sins, then He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) We don’t experience His forgiveness “if” we won’t confess our sins. The Word of God says, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” (John 8:31) We won’t be counted as a disciple “if” we don’t continue in His Word. Get the idea?
Have you been struggling lately? Maybe your breakthrough is as simple as obeying the big “if!” The writer of Proverbs said, “Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”
Today, what big “ifs” are standing between you and God’s best blessings? Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” He promised, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
Say This: “Father, I thank You for Your Word and Your promises. You are a good Father and You give good gifts. I see this “if/then” principle in Your Word and I ask You to help me recognize the “ifs” I need to obey fully so that all the “thens” can flow into my life. Help me to obey Your Word and walk in the light. I know that ‘if’ I walk in Your Word ‘then’ I will be truly blessed. In Jesus Name. Amen.”
Goodness is fundamental to God’s character.
