The Big If

(Pro 2:1 KJV)  My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

Notice the third word in this verse, “if”.  This is where you need to start on the promises of God.  I think most people want to start in verse 5 or verse 9 where it says, “Then.”  It does not work that way.  Too often we want the ice cream at the end while ignoring the vegetables on the plate.  There are conditions to the promises of God.  I know you don’t like it.  Theologians will get spiritual hernias trying to lift you over the conditions, but they are there.

Yes, grace is a gift.  It is a gift because you can’t earn it.  You can’t save yourself.  You can’t make providential changes in your daily life.  You can’t.  At the same time there are expectations that God has of you.  So read it again.  Don’t go straight to the promises.  They are glorious.  Ask yourself, “What does God expect of me?”

So?  The Bible is full of if/then statements.  They are not there to tell you how helpless you are.  They are there to lead you on the path of righteousness.