Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes.
Fix your heart on the promises of God, and you will dwell in the land,
feasting on his faithfulness.
Find your delight and true pleasure in Yahweh,
and he will give you what you desire the most. (Psalm 37:3-4 TPT)
Have you ever notice how many “if…then…” statements are in our lives?
Some are negative:
If you don’t study for a test, then your grade reflects it.
If you don’t follow safety rules, then accidents happen.
If you break the law, then you face legal consequences.
If you stay up too late, then you’re tired the next day.
If you choose the wrong friends, then you end up in their trouble.
Some are positive:
If you keep your promises, then people trust you.
If you study regularly, then your grades generally improve.
If you show initiative, then you’re more likely to be promoted.
If you practice consistently, then you improve quickly.
If you save money consistently, then you build financial security.
The Bible has given us some “if…then…” statements, too.
So if the Son sets you free from sin, then become a true son and be unquestionably free! (John 8:36 TPT)
If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, [then] you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NIV)
But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, [then] he will be faithful to forgive us every time. (1 John 1:9 TPT)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, [then] ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7 NIV)
Living a life connected to the Vine of Jesus Christ can be such a mix of thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are definitely saved by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:4-5), but God also expects us to live our lives differently than non-believers. We are to embody the grace given to us as we worship our God and serve those around us. After all, “Faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].” (James 2:17 AMP) God’s love is unconditional, but his promises are often activated through our response. God’s promises carry power but our choices carry purpose.
So the question becomes: Which “if” will you and I choose today?
- If you draw near to God… then he will draw near to you.
- If you walk by the Spirit… then you won’t gratify the flesh.
- If you seek first his kingdom… then everything else will be added.
- If you trust him fully… then you will see his faithfulness.
God has already provided the power, the promise, and the path. Our role is to take the step of faith—our “if”—so that we can experience his “then.”
God,
Thank you for your Word that shows us the power of your promises and our choices. Help us today to make the best choices we can, so that we experience your power, your promises, and your rewards in our lives. In Jesus’s name we pray, AMEN.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:1, 4 NIV)