As I was growing up - the word IF played a huge part in life! What do I mean? This! IF I did what my parents told me to do – my life would be a calm one! In other words, there were conditions! Allow me to state the facts another way - I was always expected to BEHAVE! No matter what was going on around me no matter where I was at any given moment! IF I did not follow the guidelines I was taught, I knew what was going to happen! You see my parents were extremely strict! The bottom line was I MUST behave and follow the rules or there would be consequences for my behavior! This life lesson became ingrained in me – I learned early on there was a consequence for not following the rules my parents laid down! If I did not obey when I was young child – a spanking was involved. I am not talking about a few hand smacks – I am talking about a “go outside and pick a switch” time. As I grew older, IF I did not follow the rules, I would have to sit in a chair the next day - “all day”! When I was a teenager the penalty for not behaving was - no phone conversations and no going out on the weekend! As of this writing the consequence for disobedience is being put in “LOCK DOWN”! I will never forget When my oldest son told me, “Mom, your grandson is on “LOCK DOWN.’ I am here to tell you that broke my heart!

SO! What is my point? This! Here are a few conditions and definite behaviors we have to follow or there can be consequences: obey the street signs, pay your house payment and or rent, pay your light bill (on time), paying your taxes (on time), watch your behavior at your job! And understand while at your job IF you do not follow the rules – there can be consequences.

Most individuals do attempt to pay bills on time, do a good job at work, and follow the street signs without grumbling too much. The truth is we know we must fulfill these obligations, or we will lose our homes, get put in jail, or live without electricity – I think you know the drill.

As I mentioned before most individuals do meet the conditions of everyday life by doing their best. However, when it comes to the conditions God puts forth – That is another story!

The word IF in the Bible is seen in the book of Genesis and ends in the last words of the book of Revelation. It appears 1,595 times in 1,420 different verses in the King James Version!

In the English Standard Version IF appears 1,673 times. In the American Standard Version, the word IF appears 1,588 times! There are over 2,049 versions of the Bible in 1,399 languages!

My concern is this: Man continues to believe that all he has to do is just believe that Jesus is the Son of God and everything is okay and they have to do nothing else and that gives them a ticket to Heaven - because they live under Grace! Wrong!

Many, many individuals do not realize that God reads their “heart intent” 24/7. Perhaps they do not want to realize the fact that He knows every second what we are up to - not only physically but IN OUR hearts and minds!

God is an ALL-KNOWING God! So do not try to fool Him! God knows all about us! Inside and out – twenty-four hours a day!

Satan and his demons believe, and they tremble with fear! And their believing and trembling is not going to get them to Heaven! I repeat they are not going to Heaven! Satan knows God very well – and he speaks with God every day! (James 2:19)

God gave man early on a group of laws – they are called The Ten Commandments. Yes, they are Commandments! By the way there was NOT just 10. Read the book of Deuteronomy – it is quite an eye opener.

I was taught the following: God did give the commandments and after doing so, He realized man could not follow them because it was too hard. Therefore, He sent His son to die for our sins. That is a lie! God does not set any individual (male or female) up for FAILURE! What kind of God would that be?

ACCORDING TO MIRIAM WEBSTER:

Condition: a premise which the fulfillment of an agreement depends: stipulation, b: a covenant! A provision, a prerequisite.

Here are a few of the IF’s:

“Yeshua said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you keep trusting, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40 (CJB)

“You are my friends, if you do what I command you.” John 15:14 (CJB)

“If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15 (NIV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)

“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” John 15:10 (NIV)

I urge you to pay attention to the IF’S!