Two “Ifs”

I heard an alarming statement made in a sermon, preached at a mega church in Australia the other day, by a popular American pastor.

The statement drew huge applause.

I guess because it sounded catchy and we would all like it to be true.

The problem is that, taken at face value, the statement could have disastrous and even eternal consequences for people taken in by it.

That’s the danger of preaching cliches.

He said, “You didn’t do anything to get into God’s grace and you can’t do anything to get out.”

Wow!

What made me think about that statement today, and decide to write a blog about it, was my OT reading this morning in Jeremiah 17.

God says to His people Israel who, for generations, had adopted the gods of the surrounding nations and walked away from His covenant…

“…IF you obey Me, says the Lord, and do not carry on your trade at the gates or work on the Sabbath day, and IF you keep it holy, THEN kings and their officials will go in and out of these gates forever. There will always be a descendant of David [covenant promise] sitting on the throne here in Jerusalem…and this city will remain forever” (Jeremiah 17:24-25).

But wait!

There is a second “if” just verses later.

“But IF you do not listen to Me and refuse to keep the Sabbath holy, and if you bring loads of merchandise through the gates of Jerusalem just as on other days, THEN I will set fire to these gates…and no one will be able to put it out” (Jeremiah 17:27).

The issue isn’t just Sabbath.

The issue is the rebellious hearts of which persistent Sabbath-breaking was just one symptom.

And the God, who longs to be gracious, waited a LONG time between the two ”ifs”…and sent many prophets to call His people to repentance in between the “ifs” in His patient kindness towards them.

But tragically, we know which “if” Israel chose and the ultimate result of their persistent disobedience to God’s covenant.

“The Lord has rejected and forsaken this generation that has provoked His fury” (Jeremiah 7:29).

The covenant blessings of God we’re not to be treated with presumption then, and they are not to be treated with presumption now.

There was a direct connection between covenant obedience and divine outcomes then, as there is now.

“Dear Friends, IF we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth [new covenant with laws written on our hearts], there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins” (Hebrews 10:26).

But…

“…IF we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).

There are still two “ifs.”

God has not gotten soft in His old age! Nor has He become forgetful.

So…which “if” describes your life, right now?