If. Such a small word. However, when used in scripture, it can pack a pretty powerful punch.
“For IF you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father shall also forgive you.” Matthew 6: 14 The Scriptures
“Wow!”
Told you that little word packs a powerful punch.
In this context, and all throughout scripture, this little word lets us know the promise being made is conditional. “What? You mean to tell me God has promises that are conditional?” Yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you.
Now, before I go on, let me preface what I often preface when it comes to obedience to the Torah: Salvation is a free gift. The condition of salvation is: repent of your sins (which is the transgression of the Torah) and believe on the name of Yahshua (whom is called Jesus). Salvation is not earned by works. Works reveals salvation. Remember- salvation is the root, obedience is the fruit.
Now, back to our little word “IF.”
We’ve been taught in modern Christianity that Salvation is the condition that needs to be met in order to be blessed. Don’t get me wrong, salvation on its own is the greatest blessing one can have. But, those beloved promises we all know and love in the Word are often tied to “ifs.” “If you do this, then this blessing will occur.”
If you obey, then…
We don’t hear much about this word being tied to obedience. Oh, except for tithing. The modern church ties the “IF” word to tithing like it’s going out of style. If you tithe, God will bless you. If you tithe, God will protect your finances. If you tithe, God will pour out a blessing on you so great you won’t be able to contain it, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…
While I don’t disagree in principle on the message of tithing, the modern church has elevated this minute portion of the Torah (the law of Yahovah) to a level it was never meant to be, while also treating the Torah as though it has been done away, or “nailed to the cross.”
As long as you are giving those tithes, you’re are good to go.
Case in point: There was a man who went to church every Sunday, raised his hands in worship, and tithed faithfully. However, that faithfulness did not extend to his marriage vows and he committed adultery against his wife for years. And when he was finally found out, he said he believed God still blessed him because he tithed.
Say what!
Unfortunately, this mindset has steeped itself in deep in to modern Christianity.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you tithe the mint and the anise and the cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the Torah: the right-ruling and the compassion and the belief. These need to have been done without neglecting the others.” Matthew 23:23
So, which is it? Has the Torah been “nailed to the cross” and we no longer have to obey all those “old testament rules?” Or is tithing, which is part of the Torah, still for us today as gentile converts grafted in to the house of Y’Israel?
It cannot be both.
So, you are left with a choice: Forgo tithing because we no longer need to obey Torah.
Or, obey the Torah, which includes tithing, and all the other stuff.
I choose obedience because, “If you love Me, keep My commands.”
Oh! There’s that word “IF” again! And I didn’t even intend it!
“Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12: 13 The Scriptures Version
There are over 1,600 “IF” statements in the cannon (the 66 books of scripture). Here’s a list of some of those scriptures tied to obedience by that little word “IF.” I’d like you to ponder these and ask yourself, “Am I expecting blessing while trying to erase the “IF part?”
Let’s start with one we all know and love: “If you have belief as a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Luke 17: 6
“If, then, you were raised with Messiah, seek the matters which are above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of Elohim.” Colossians 3:1
“And, now if you diligently obey My voice, and shall guard My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession above all the peoples, for all the earth is mine.” Exodus 19: 5
“And if you walk in My ways, to guard My laws and my commands, as your father Dawid walked, then I shall prolong your days.” 1 Kings 3:14
“And if you keep all these commandments and do them, which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and to walk always in His ways, then you shall add three more cities for yourself besides these three…” Deuteronomy 19:9 NKJV
“…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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
And, here’s a couple verses with an implied “IF.”
“And whatever we ask we receive from Him because we guard His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3: 22 The Scriptures i.e. “If you guard His commands, you will receive what you ask of Him.”
“He who hides his transgressions, does not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them finds compassion.” Proverbs 28: 13 The Scriptures i.e. “If you confess and forsake your transgressions, you will find compassion.”
“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33: 18-19 NKJV i.e. “If you fear Yahovah, He will deliver your soul from death.”
There are many more “IF,” whether stated or implied, verses in scripture that are followed with a “then,” so, I encourage you to think on this message as you come across them in your studies. Are you eager and willing to obey, not just for the blessing, but, because you love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength?
I will leave you with just one more scripture to tie it all together:
“Does Yahovah delight in ascending offerings and slaughterings (sacrifices), as in obeying the voice of Yahovah? Look, to obey is better than a slaughtering, to heed is better than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15: 22 The Scriptures
In His Service,
Rebecca Hamilton, Founder/ Executive Director
For Every Great Battle, There is a Great Victory!!