When God Says “If”

The song If, written by David Gates of the band Bread in 1971, was a number four U.S. Billboard hit of its day. Many remember the beautiful rock ballad playing on transistor radios, through open car windows, and in school gymnasiums hosting  dances.

The story goes that Gates wrote the song at his dinning room table during a quiet, late night while his family slept. It’s a song of affection felt that cannot be captured with words, beauty that could launch ships, and love eternal.

We all use “ifs” in our interactions with others. “If”  defines expectations and makes promises of good or bad outcomes. Even God uses “ifs” many times in His Word, usually for the same reason we do: to define expectations and make promises of an outcome.

 If we love God and seek Him, He loves us and will reveal Himself to us: “I love those who love me; And those who seek me early and diligently will find me. Proverbs: 8:17

If we believe in Jesus, God’s Son, we will be given the gift of eternal life: “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

If we come close to God with a repentant heart, sorrowful over our sins against Him, then He will draw close to us: Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. James 4:8

Of all the “ifs” in life, the most important ones we will ever encounter are in God’s words to us. We are never more blessed and at peace in this life than when we value and heed those words. Have you considered God’s commandments, His desires for you to have a good life now and eternal life with Him in the hereafter? If you’ve made this choice, then you know that God is faithful and true in all He says.