Layman's Lounge

IF You Do, THEN He Will

DEUT. 7:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:

-and-

2 CHRON 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

FRIENDS,

Today we were looking into the laws of God and found this:  IF YOU DO, THEN HE WILL.  "If" and "Then".  In the laws of God we believe this to be a most basic and fundamental truth.  Nothing happens without cause and effect, and the cause of God's effect in our life stems directly from the promise that "IF" we adhere to his promises and Spirit-led life, "THEN" He will be obliged by his own Word to fulfill his obligations and desires toward us.

There is no guarantee in "IF".  It means "A condition or stipulation that certain conditions exist; Granting that."  God says "In the event that; or granting that, my people obey"...In other words, you get what you choose to get in God!

2 CHRON 7:15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

When will this happen?  When we have fulfilled the obligation of "IF" - that is, AFTER my people do what I require.  When my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves...and onward.  God's expectations are never without promise.  God's Word is never without cost.  His promises are "Yay, and amen", so long as our actions support them.  Notice that he never says "If I want to".  Always it is "IF YOU DO, THEN I WILL".  Guaranteed.  When we act, we obligate God to act, whether good or ill.  

PROV 10:16-18 The rich man's wealth is his fortress, The ruin of the poor is their poverty. The wages of the righteous is life, The income of the wicked, punishment. He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray.…

The relationship of "IF" leads us to know consequence.  God brings provision with his vision, and punishment for those who forsake it.  "IF" we choose life, we receive life.  "IF" we choose death, we receive death.  The sequence is clear.  Obey and you eat the good of the land (ISA 1:19).  Obedience, which is better than sacrifice, brings the promises of God's goodness to light.  The choices we make are predicated on the "IF" "THEN" of God.

2 CHRON 20:9  If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

ALWAYS he will do, WHEN we have done!  Always God will answer THEN with the IF we have chosen.  Want life?  CHOOSE LIFE!  David was on the run.  Everyone knew David was no coward.  But in 2 SAMUEL 15, David made a choice.  Notice into the chapter that God never says "IF" or "In the event that I want to".  Always, If you do, Then I will.  BUT, hearing and doing go hand-in-hand.  The choices we make must play themselves out in flesh!  We walk it out in shoe leather, as it were.

MATT 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

The "IF" above is the choice to obey God and do the will of God.  The "THEN" above is the reward of being family.  The reason David didn't fight in 2 SAMUEL 15 was that "IF" God was through with him, no amount of fighting would keep the throne.  His heart was right!  Throughout all the chapters of 2 SAMUEL Daivd is referred to as "the King", while Absolom is not.  If you are right, no matter what the odds, no matter what happens, God will not suffer you to be defeated!  But, we must take this message personally.  

DEUT 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

Do you want life?  Do you want all that God has for you?  Then CHOOSE life!  "IF" YOU DO, "THEN" HE WILL!  

In Love,

 

Elders Mark and Dana Neddeau