The Big "IF"

This then is the message which we have
heard of Him, and declare unto you,
that God is light, and in Him is no
darkness at all.
I John 1:5

Little words in our English language are interesting. Our little word “if” is no exception. It has even been stretched into a little longer word...”iffy.” If something is “iffy” in it's use, the indicator is usually that something is uncertain, or something that could go either way. Otherwise, “iffy” indicates uncertainty or what is questionable. I don't like anything that is “iffy,” especially when someone tries to trip me up with a spiritual question or statement.

“If” is a conditional word and we've all used it or heard it used in some familiar ways, such as:
“IF you get your chores finished, THEN you can go with your friends.”
“IF you study hard, THEN you will pass this test.”
“IF you accept Jesus as your Savior, THEN you will have a home in Heaven.”

I think you get the idea of the word being used in a conditional way. Also notice that with”if” statements, the word “then” may appear after the initial statement. Otherwise, an “if” statement almost always requires a “then” reply. Scripture is full of “Ifs.” As I've been studying in the book of First John 1:5-10, I found, as I love to do, a pattern in many of the words.

The opening verse 5 lays a foundation for the rest of what John wants to say in this chapter and each of the last five verses has an important “if” statement. Three of those verses (6,8 and 10) are “If we say” statements. The other two verses (7 and 9) are “if” statements that requires action on our part. No matter the type of verse, we are still confronted with conditions we are called on to meet. As you read, you will see a * in each verse, that indicates where the word “then” should be.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him,
and walk in darkness, * we lie, and do not the truth. (6)

If we say that we have no sin, * we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (8)

If we say that we have not sinned, * we make Him
a liar, and His word is not in us. (10)

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light,
* we have fellowship one with another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanseth us from all sin. (7)

If we confess our sins, * He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness. (9)

I have in my possession a very tiny book, written by Amy Carmichael entitled IF. Some college friends gave it to me in January,1991 as a birthday gift. The first time I thumbed through it, I thought it surely wouldn't take long to read. After some introductory pages, I found, through the rest of the book, only one sentence on each page. Every sentence begins with the word IF. Each sentence is meant to really pry into the heart of the reader. It probes the depth of one's Calvary love, (a love Jesus had for us on the cross) in many of life's situations. In fact, one is instructed to not move to the next page until the one page being read has been fully absorbed. For instance:

“IF I covet any place on earth but the dust
at the foot of the Cross,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

Back in 1991, I could never have thought of coveting any place on earth. But now I live in one of the most beautiful places on this earth that I dearly love. I was forced anew to consider that page.

Here's one other of several probings from this little book:

“IF I can write an unkind letter, speak an
unkind word, think an unkind thought
without grief and shame,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

These and the other statements in this book are all “If/then” statements. The “if” parts of the sentences aren't meant to make excuses for oneself, but to force one to come face to face with Jesus and His sacrifice of love for all.

Most of us don't need to use the word “if” when it comes to the spiritual. We basically know who and what we are before God, what our shortcomings are and what we need to do about them. I love that Scripture brings us to the basics; nothing terribly hard to understand of the issue of sin. Our problem is being obedient to the Word of God because of our love for Him with no Ifs, ands or buts about it.

Dear Father, I don't want there to be any “if's” on my part in my relationship with You. Help me to be transparent all the time with You and respond with obedience to Your Spirit's convicting prompts in my life. Thank You for not giving up on me. I love you. In Jesus' name....Amen.