"If" The biggest little word in the bible

Too often we convey our thoughts as if they were from God when in fact they are not. It's easy to determine what is of Him or not of Him because of and by His Word.

I want to share with you regarding the word "if". Many like to hear that God's love is unconditional and therefore have certain expectations and beliefs. Well, these expectations warrant examination. First we must understand that God is love. That's what His Word says. Love is not something that He does. His love does not move Him as with us, for He is not a man. Therefore He cannot be anything other than what He is. God!

We use the scripture John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave...... and we infer that it was because of His love that He gave. This is true, but not in the sense that His love moved Him. For His Word says that our Father loved Jesus before the foundation of the worlds. God's plan was established before man. His Word also says that "He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God...." God's love is pure as He is pure. His motivations and intents are not based upon our performance. God's love is not conditional as we consider conditional and yet He has given instruction as to how He expects us to walk and in our obedience receive His blessings.

Simply the word "if" means whether or not. This bears contemplation because that means "if" is conditional. Therefore we would be unwise and actually foolish to believe that "if" we fail to do that which He has commanded that we would reap the benefit of whatever He has promised. The condition is not based upon God's love or reaction to us, it is based upon our "free will" response to His Word. Thereby demonstrating not His love for us, but our love for Him.

Here are a few examples:

Mar_11:25  And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Joh_8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.

Joh_15:7  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.

Joh_15:14  You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you.

Joh_15:19  If  you were of the world, the world would love his own, but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

 Rom_8:9  But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ he is not His.


Rom_8:10  If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

1Co_5:11  But now I have written to you, not to keep company if anyone named a brother, is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, not even to eat with such a person.

Gal_1:9  As we said before, so say I now again, If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Col_3:12,13  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another and forgiving one another, If anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Heb_12:7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?  

Jas_1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.  

1Pe_3:13  And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

 2Jn_1:10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receives him into your house nor greet him, for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.  

There are 180 verses and 434 matches for the word "if" in His Word. God has an expectation that we adhere that which He has commanded. In that He has said "if" He has given us free will to obey! If you don't believe me, study and see for yourselves.