Posts Tagged ‘Deuteronomy 8:19’

…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Is God an unconditional God?

Many Christians seem to think so. We promise people who do not know or love God that He loves them, no matter what. Many Christians boldly promise the favor of God on someone if they would “stop doing drugs,” “confess their sin of adultery,” or  “abortion,”  “stop using pornography,” or ___________________, (fill in the blank).

As a group of women I know were discussing God’s Law, it occurred to me that we make a lot of Biblical promises that lack the “conditions” that God has placed on us. There are a lot of “ifs” in the Bible (1507 in the ESV).  Here are two examples:

And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish (Deuteronomy 8:19).

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love (John 15:10).

There is a standard of faith and actions that we must adhere to in order to be the recipients of the blessings of the Lord. He does not look down and see a good thing we have done and pour out His blessings. His definition of “good” and ours are miles apart. In fact,

A woman once told me that when she was growing up her Christian family taught her that if she did not drink, smoke or get pregnant out of wedlock – she was being a “good Christian girl.”

The Bible was in their home, but not taught. They attended church and youth group and stayed out of trouble, prioritizing academics.

This kind of Christian home has gotten into a second or possibly third generation who do not know the scriptures – so they think that all God wants is for us to be happy and blessed materially so we can praise His Name.

In this time of national turmoil it is important for us to understand that, in the Bible, the “ifs” are not just personal. The conditions God has for us are also national. Our nation is expected to humble itself and pray, to turn from our wicked ways, and then God will hear from heaven and heal our land.

A lot needs to change, in our personal obedience to God’s Word and in our national recognition of His Authority in the world.

The personal has to come first. God will change our nation one person’s heart brought to faith in Him at a time. It would seem that we have to start telling people the truth, including politicians and businessmen. They will not be blessed for stopping one bad behavior, wearing or not wearing a mask, or following the current social justice cause. They will be blessed by God when they live by faith in Him and His Word, and by repentance of their evil ways (recognizing that they are not all evil!).

Please see that we will never  be “good” enough to meet His standard (the perfect Lord Jesus Christ is the standard).  But we have to want to please God, for the sake of pleasing Him.  Not in order to obtain His blessings, but because we love Him and want to obey. That’s the major condition for blessing both personally and nationally.  It’s not a quid pro quo.

Are we faithful? Are we willing to humble ourselves and pray? Do we have adequate knowledge of the conditions, and enough love for our neighbors, to tell them the truth of God’s Word?