The first time I heard someone say God's promises are conditional, I was shocked! God is God. How can His promises be dependant on anything but His own sovreignty? How can I trust Him if He isn't the same yesterday, today, and forever?
Obviously, I was looking at it in the wrong way...They are not conditional as far as His power, ability, or even willingness is concerned. However, and the thing we Christians often miss, is that His ability to act on our behalf is predicated on the big "IF". We have to choose to live by His teachings & commands if we want His blessings. We often want His promises on our terms, in our time, in our way and we don't want to live according to His Word. That's why the end results depend on our decisions.
If we accept His free gift of salvation, we receive His gift of new life.
If we live according to His Word, He is able to work through us in unimaginable, amazing ways.
If we surrender to Him, He is free to work in us to change us to be who He has ordained us to be.
If we obey Him, He is released to bless us & to bless others through us.
If we confess our sins, He is willing to forgive us and cleanse us!
If we call on Him, He delights in answering us and helping us.
Throughout the Bible we see that God has given us the opportunity to choose. He didn't create us to be robots, or to love Him under duress. He wants us to come to Him willingly, to worship, to love, to obey, & to serve. IF we do, He is right there to help, lead, guide, provide, heal, forgive, love, & protect.
A famous quote in a recent popular movie sums it up - "It is not our abilities that make us who we are but it is our choices." God is ready, able, & willing...IF
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