If, Then
If, then statements are fun, if you love logic. But what if you don’t?
When studying mathematics, we encounter logic problems. If, then statements are part of the curriculum, but teenagers studying geometry aren’t usually too keen on logic.
Stay with me. I promise this’ll make sense!
Conditionals
We use if, then statements, also called conditionals, in mathematics. But we also use them in our everyday interactions.
“If you skip breakfast, then you’ll be hungry before noon.”
“If you make all A’s, then I’ll buy you a new dress.”
“If you aren’t home by midnight, you’ll be grounded for a week.”
“If I don’t get a move on, I’ll be late.”
We don’t always say the word then, but it’s understood, and the sentence is still a conditional statement.
Not all conditional statements are true. Humans don’t always keep their word. Or something happens to prevent us from following through. Or maybe the conditional is based on a false premise in the first place.
“If it rains, we’re still going to the game.” But maybe the car gets a flat, and we can’t make it to the stadium.
“If I am kind to him (or her,) then he (or she) will be kind to me.” How many times has that not worked out for you?
“If I complete this job well, then I’ll get the promotion.” And then someone in the cubicle next to me is promoted instead.
Jesus’ Conditional
If a conditional is based on a true premise, spoken by someone totally trustworthy, we know that when the if part occurs, the then part will follow. No doubt about it. That’s the way conditionals work.
In Matthew 7:7, we read Jesus’ words to His disciples. “‘Ask and it will be given to you.” Or you might say, “If you ask, then it will be given to you.” The next verse says it this way, “everyone who asks receives.”
Jesus is totally trustworthy. We can be assured His conditional statement is true. IF we ask, THEN we will receive. I wonder, how often do I fail to receive His amazing blessings all because I ignore the condition; I fail to ask?
Peaks
When I look back on my life, I see hills and valleys of faith. Times I trusted God immensely and times I walked as if He wasn’t around.
During my college years I spent a summer in Northern California as a summer missionary through the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board (now called North American Mission Board). Missionaries and churches in the country received help from college students who applied for the opportunity through their Baptists Student Unions (now called Baptist Collegiate Ministries.)
My journey to California and the summer spent there is a God-story in itself. But for now, suffice it to say I was challenged in my faith while working in Vacation Bible Schools and youth summer camps alongside believers in churches on the other side of the country from me.
At a youth camp held near Mount Shasta, we taught the book of Proverbs. Proverbs isn’t the easiest read and for teenagers it seemed an unusual choice to me at the time. But God used that study to impress one thing on me. Wisdom is good. And I should want it.
That fall when I was home, I read James 1:5.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
I remember clearly not understanding what wisdom was, but I asked God to please give it to me anyway. From Proverbs He makes it clear wisdom is something He wants us to have. And from the verse in James, I knew if I asked He would give it. So I figured I should ask. And I did.
Valleys
That summer was one of my peaks of faith. But the enemy does his best to side-track us.
A few years later, I found myself in a valley, having tried to figure life out on my own. Realizing I needed to change direction, I kneeled before God, telling Him, “I give up.”
Did God not give me wisdom as I asked earlier? That’s impossible because God is faithful, and He said if I asked He would give it. But wisdom isn’t a one and done type of gift. And my Father has been answering that request all my life. For that matter, it was His Holy Spirit Who drew me back from my trying to figure life out on my own in the first place. The only wise God was working His wisdom in me even then. I’m so glad I asked!
Ask
During that “I give up” moment in my life, I asked God for another request. This time not one I saw written in Scripture, but something I believe was Biblical nonetheless.
“Please make me real.”
Why in the world did I ask that? And what makes me think it’s Biblical?
I’m not completely sure what all was in my heart and mind when I asked God to make me real. But I remember thinking of the velveteen rabbit, the one loved so much by the young boy the stuffed animal became real. Was I wanting God’s love to do a work in me? Or was it simply I wanted to be completely sincere no matter where I am? The same in church and at work, on the ballfields and in the classroom.
Perhaps it was some of both.
But why is that Biblical?
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told us He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). And in John 8:32, Jesus says the truth will make us free. Truth is the opposite of falsehood. Being real, who I am, who God made me to be, without false pretense, seems to me to be part of truth.
Proverbs 30:8 says, “Remove falsehood and lies far from me.” In my prayers, the words have become, keep deceit and lies far from me. Jesus is truth, and the devil is the father of lies. Asking God to be real was partly my way of asking Him for truth only. No lies. Not in me. Not in what I hear or believe. Not from my mouth. And not in my heart.
I continue to ask this today. Keep deceit and lies far from me.
Keep Asking
What are you asking God the Father for today? Do you remember heart cries He has answered? Have you seen our Lord keep His word to you?
Ask, and you shall receive.
If, then.
When the request is for something He loves, our Father delights to honor His conditional. If we ask, then He gives.
Wisdom. Truth. Righteousness. Grace. Understanding. Love. Joy. Discretion. Peace. Kindness.
All those things which are evidence of His kingdom.
If. Then.
Postscript
I finished writing tonight’s post and then learned there has been another plane crash. The helicopter and plane collision in Washington, D.C. and now the medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia.
Last night I wrote on Facebook from a heart heavy with the tragic events and hurts and losses from the past week. And I wondered why God didn’t let me write about such heaviness here. Perhaps we need to be reminded to ask, and He will give what we need even now.
In John 16:33, we read our Savior’s words,
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Tonight I ask our Abba for His comfort for families and friends of those lost in the disasters. And I ask Him for His truth to pierce our hearts. For Him to keep deceit and lies far away from us. He is Sovereign, and He is good, even when chaos abounds, and when life feels horrible. The enemy would have us believe otherwise. God protect us from such lies.
May we ask our Lord for His peace to reign. And may God open the hearts of many to know Christ as Lord, for when we leave this earth, if we trust Jesus as the way to the Father, then we go to be with Him forever. May His mercy flow.
(Scriptures: New King James Version; Photos: Taken by Carolyn Thigpen, December, 2024, Grayson, GA and St. Simon's, GA)
