IF – Part 2
Scripture: Daniel 3:12-18; 1 John 4:11-12, 20; Romans 10:8-10
This is part two of my series on “IF”. Last week I shared with you that in this series I wanted us to think about what the word “IF” truly means as it relates to defining how we interact with God. I shared with you that when we say to God we are “willing to do something for Him “IF” He first does something for us,” that is not how we approach God with the expectation of receiving anything from Him. As I told you last week, placing a condition on something we are willing to do for God only after He first does something for us is the true definition of pride, which will hinder our fellowship with God. And here’s the sad part: when we do this, what we are telling our Father is that we won’t obey you unless You do something for us. In part one I shared with you how pride impacts how we respond to our “IF” moments and this morning we are going to set pride aside and examine the “IF” moments that pertains to our hearts.
As a reminder, “IF” is defined in the dictionary as “a conjunction used to indicate the circumstances that would have to exist in order for an event to happen.” It applies preconditions that must exist in order for something else to happen. In part one I told you that most of the promises in the Bible have conditions and the word “IF” speaks to those conditions. How we walk in our faith with God is dependent on how we use the word “IF” when we are standing in faith according to what He has told us in His word. When we use the word “IF” when thinking about our fellowship with God, it speaks volume as we are either standing in faith or we are standing in pride (doubt.) Also when Jesus used the word “IF” in the New Testament, it was always on man’s side and never on God’s side. This is because God has made everything available to us but it is up to us to take advantage of it. Now before moving on, let me make one final and very important point. Our response to the “IF” scriptures have an impact on our fellowship with God, not our relationship with Him. What do I mean? Let me talk about Clarissa and Victoria as an example. They are my daughters. That’s our relationship. However, the degree to which they complied with what I ask of them growing up often determined our fellowship – our walking in agreement. Now this is very important. You are God’s son. You are God’s daughter. Your response to the “IF” scriptures will not affect your status as a son or a daughter, but it does affect your fellowship with our Father. It’s in the fellowship that prayers are answered. It’s in the fellowship that healing manifests. It’s in the fellowship that we receive His provision.
In part two of this series, we will be examining “IF” situations pertaining to the heart. I want to open with a story that Bro. Stacy mentioned last week during our prayer circle. It’s the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacked Jerusalem and took it into captivity. Upon beginning his rule over the Jews, King Nebuchadnezzar chose handsome young men in whom there was no blemish. These young men were skillful in all wisdom, gifted in knowledge and understanding science, and had the ability within them to stand in the king's palace. Four of these young men were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. While you may remember the story of Daniel and how he survived being thrown into the lion’s den, this morning I want you to see the story of the other three Hebrew boys and how their hearts – how their fellowship with God, as His servants – impacted how they responded to the king’s command.
In Daniel chapter three, King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image which he commanded everyone to worship when they heard the signal (the sound coming from musical instruments). So the first time the signal was given, everyone fell down and worshipped the image except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When they did not worship the image, it was reported to the king. The king, of course, summoned the three to him and ordered that they worship the image. Let’s pick the story up in Daniel 3:12. “There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they serve not your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.” (Vs. 12) Can you hear the accusers as they complained to the king? “These men O great king, do you know what they have done? They have blatantly disregarded and ignored you – the king of Babylon! (Notice they didn’t say they had ignored the king’s commandment, but that they had ignored the king.) And not only that, we’ve been watching them and not once have they served any of YOUR gods. Do you see how they are disrespecting you O King in front of all the people? And they are so arrogant that they believe they don’t have to worship YOUR image either. And these are men, O King, that you have put into leadership positions.”
“Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said unto them, ‘Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do you not serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if you are ready that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if you worship not, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Vss. 13-15) (I am sure the king did not expect the response we’re about to read.) “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.’” (Daniel 3:16-18)
In these seven verses, “IF” is used four times. King Nebuchadnezzar used it twice and the three Hebrew boys used it twice. The King told them that “IF” they were willing to worship the image all would be well. However, “IF” they were not, then they would immediately on the same day be cast into the fiery furnace. In their response Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not hesitate or need time to “weigh their options.” They told the king, “IF” God chose to deliver them He could and would. But here is the heart statement: “But if not, be it known unto you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:18) They believed in God and that was enough. New Light, this is the fellowship I talked about earlier. They knew that only the God of Jews was to be worshiped and they were in complete and uncompromising agreement with that. And that’s why they would not bow. PERIOD!!! They did not need to pray about it. They did not need to confer with Daniel about it. They did not need extra time to consider their option. They knew when they were summoned that they would not submit to the King’s request or his threat. They would not because in their hearts they believed God. In their hearts there were no “IF” situations that they could face that would lead them to turn their backs on God. Do you understand what I am saying? There was no situation that they could EVER find themselves in that would be so bad that they would even consider turning their backs on God. People, these were not seasoned “old men”! They were young men who walked closely in fellowship with God! Even when looking at their own personal death in the face, they would not give in and break their fellowship with God!!!
When we have settled our hearts as it relates to our fellowship with God, whenever we face “IF” situations that requires us to rebel against God or against something He has commanded us to do, it’s becomes a no brainer. Our response is already set. We do not back down. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stated for everyone to hear that even “IF” God did not save them, they would not worship the king’s image. Now I want you to think about this New Light. They knew that God could deliver them. But they also knew that if He didn’t – He was still God and His word was true! Many in the church today don’t believe that God’s word is true because they don’t see it manifesting in their lives. I want to make two points about this. First, God’s Word is true even if we never see it manifest in our lives. And that leads me to the second point: the truth of God’s Word is not the issue. Our fellowship with God, our agreement with God and His Word, is the issue. And this is the truth that the “IF” statements shines a light on, and makes transparent, every single time. How we respond to the Word of God makes what we believe about His Word transparent.
As we look at the following Scriptures I want you to think about this fact: an “IF” situation only truly exists when the person believes they have an option. If, as a child of God walking in fellowship with Him, you are bound to follow His will, then there are situations where you do not have an option. In those situations it’s a heart issue. If your heart is aligned with God’s heart – let me say it this way, if your heart beats with God’s heart – the decision is already made for you and that means that the “IF,” whatever it is, is not an issue. Let me show you.
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us…….If a man say, ‘I love God’, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 John 4:11-12, 20) What is the “IF” situation? The “IF” situation is whether or not we love God and His love being perfected within us. We know that God loves us because He sent His only Son to die for us so that we could have a relationship with Him. The question is not “IF” God loves us, it’s “IF” we truly love Him. In these verses we see the answer. “IF” we truly love God we must love our fellowman. The word “ought” in the Greek means “an obligation, a debt to be paid.” Because God showered His love upon us, the debt that we owe God is to share His love with others no matter the person or the situation. That’s the first proof of our love for God. So we are not allowed to hate our fellowman regardless of how hateful and deserving they are! Verse twenty says I am a liar if I say I love God but I hate my brother. So in this situation there is no “IF” for a Christian. There is no choice as it relates to loving others. Let’s look at some other verses. Turn to Romans 10:8-10.
“But what says it? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:8-10) Now these verse are about relationship. How many of you know that there is no fellowship without relationship and the relationship starts with our accepting Christ! There are those that believe with their hearts that they are going to heaven without ever having accepted Christ. But what does the Bible say? This was written by a man who started out persecuting Christians before getting saved so if anyone would know the truth, Paul would. Paul wrote to the Romans that “IF” we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, then we shall be saved. Now notice this New Light. Salvation has two requirements. First we have to believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead. The second thing we must do for the salvation to be complete is to say with our mouth that we believe Jesus is the Son of God. And when we do this, what we are saying is there is no other way to Heaven than through Jesus. This is a true “IF” statement for everyone because everyone will have to make this choice. In this “IF” situation we decide our eternal home. I am so very uncomfortable hearing people talk about going to heaven without accepting Christ. Based on what we just read, it’s simply not possible. Let’s look at Galatians chapter six.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:7-9) In church we hear from the pulpit how God rewards those that serve Him – those that serve any “old kind of way!” I want you to see the “IF” in this Scripture from verse nine. The writer says that we will reap what we sow – good and bad. As it relates to the good, there is a condition. He wrote that we should not get weary in doing well because we will reap our reward “IF”….. The “IF” says that we will be rewarded “IF” we faint not. In other words, we will receive our reward if we do not give up. You see, once we make the choice to serve God, we also have a choice in how we do it. How we serve God is truly decided on in our hearts. If you have ever heart someone try to motivate someone by telling them to put their “heart” into it, then you understand what I am saying. Whether we serve faithfully until the end or get tired, frustrated and quit – it all goes back to our hearts! We have a choice as to how we serve. The “IF” in this verse speaks to those moments when we get tired and it’s telling us to keep fighting. Keep pushing forward. Do not ever give in because the moment we do, we lose.
I want to go back to the Old Testament as I close. Remember the story I started with from the book of Daniel? I want to go back in history and share a couple of verses that I believe led the three Hebrews boys to remain firm in their fellowship with God because they understood what was at stake “IF” they allowed themselves to consider the king’s alternative. Remember, they were of the Children of Israel so their history dates back long before they existed. The teachings that they had learned that made them respond the way they did had been handed down verbally in in writing. They knew what God had done and they understood the penalty for turning their backs on Him. They knew what Moses had told the Children of Israel (their ancestors) in the book of Deuteronomy. When Moses warned them of everything they would experience in the Promise Land he said, “But if from there you shall seek the LORD your God, you shall find Him, if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in tribulation, and all these things are come upon you, even in the latter days, if you turn to the LORD your God, and shall be obedient unto His voice; (For the LORD your God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake you, neither destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore unto them.” (Deuteronomy 4:29-31) From a historical perspective they knew they could not turn their backs on God – they knew what would happen. In these verses Moses told them they would rebel, but he also told that “IF” they sought out God, they would find Him – “IF” they sought Him with all their hearts!
Also, I believe they knew the story of David when he transitioned His Kingdom to his son Solomon. David told Solomon the following, “And you, Solomon my son, know you the God of your father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek Him, He will be found of you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9) David told Solomon that he was to serve God with a perfect heart and a willing mind. He also said that God searches all hearts and therefore “IF” he sought God he would find Him. Then he warns him and tell him that “IF” he forsakes God, God would cast him off forever.” Those are two big “IFs!” This too was part of the history that the three Hebrews boys had learned. So they knew what the decision was that they had to make even before being presented with the options which were not really options for them.
As I close this morning I want you to see what happened with the three Hebrew boys. They entered the fiery furnace not knowing “IF” they would come out and coming out was not on their minds. They were solely focused on serving God even if it meant their deaths. I want to read to you what happened. “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spoke, and said unto his counselors, ‘Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?’ They answered and said unto the king, ‘True, O king.’ He answered and said, ‘Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the form of the fourth is like a son of the gods.’ Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spoke, and said, ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the most high God, come forth, and come here.’ Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth out of the midst of the fire. (Daniel 3:24-26) They entered the fiery furnace knowing who they served and not knowing if they would come out. They entered the fiery furnace because in their minds the offer from the king was not really an offer. His “IF” was not their “IF” because in their heart they knew they only had one choice so “IF” was never a concern for them. Remember, “IF” only becomes relevant when someone believes they have options as to their response. When our hearts are aligned with God, when our hearts beat with His heart, in some situations there is no “IF” because our decision, like the three Hebrew boys, is already made.
We will continue next week.
Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
(If you are ever in the Kansas City, KS area, please come and worship with us at New Light Christian Fellowship, 15 N. 14th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102. Our service Sunday worship starts at 9 a.m. and Thursday night Bible study at 7 p.m. Also, for use of our social media, you can find us at newlightchristianfellowship on FB. To get our live stream services, please make sure you “like” and turn on notifications for our page so you can be notified when we are live streaming. We also have a church website and New Light Christian Fellowship YouTube channel for more of our content. We are developing more social media streams so please stand by and we will notify you once those channels are up and running. We look forward to you worshipping with us. May God bless and keep you.)
