Bob Tamasy: responds properly to the big little word, “IF”
5 mins read

Bob Tamasy: responds properly to the big little word, “IF”

Bob Tamasy: responds properly to the big little word, “IF”


Bob Tamasy

Have you ever been around someone who pleased to try to impress people with his or her huge vocabulary, with several syllables with abandonment, as if they only ate a dictionary?

It is not to condemn complex sounding words. For example, “aeronautical” is more meaningful than saying: “Things that go up in the air.” On the other hand, saying that things are “ubiquitous” may not connect as easily to the hearing as “everywhere”. It largely depends on the intended audience and the context that words are used.

Since words are the tools for my trade, I have often found that small, simple words – when they are the right word – can have incredible impact.

I can’t think of a better example than the little word, ‘If.’ Conditional statements – declarative sentences that express relationships between two ideas – often start with or include the word “If.” They inform us that “if you do it … then it will happen.”

For example, “If you speed up the middle state, you are likely to get a traffic ticket.” Or, “If I won the lottery, I could get out of debt.” Essentially a causal-and-effect relationship.

In the Word of God, we read about the Lord’s unconditional love, forgiveness and acceptance of his children – his mercy and grace. But even the scriptures say that some benefits of spiritual life are conditional. This is where the little word “if” comes in.

We find this word that is used many times in the Bible. Two passages that immediately come to mind convey that spiritual health and growth are not automatic. They demand initiatives on our part. For example, in proverbs 2: 1-11 we read:

“My son, If You accept my words and store my commands in you, turn your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding – indeed, If You prompt insights and cry loudly for understanding and If You are looking for it as for silver and looking for it as for hidden treasure, then You will understand the Lord’s fear and find God’s knowledge … Then You will understand what is right and fair and fair – every good path. For wisdom comes into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant for your soul. Discretion will protect you and understanding will protect you. “

These verses clarify that If We do certain things, we then can expect certain results. Accepting the Word of God, storing their commands in our hearts, striving for wisdom and understanding and worthy of them will lead to understanding, wisdom, knowledge and discretion.

These are all invaluable qualities for divinity and become the people the Lord wants us to be. But they only come to us if we ask for them, seek them and embrace them for the eternal taxes they are. If … then.

Another section that reinforces this conditional relationship between God’s desires for our lives and our response is Filippian’s 2: 1-2, which urges, If You have any encouragement from being united with Christ, If Every comfort from his love, If Every fellowship with the spirit, If any tenderness and compassion, then Make my joy complete by being like -minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. “

This is a strong call to the unit of heart and spirit. In our society today we often hear people who talk about unity, but it is often with the connotation that people accept or adapt to a certain position that is advocated. These verses in the Philippines point on the basis of unity, especially among Jesus’ supporters.

Are we encouraged in our relationship with him? Can we find comfort in his love? Do we like fellowship with each other through the power of the Holy Spirit? Has he conveyed US tenderness and compassion to others? If This is the case, then We can become like -minded, experience mutual love and be united in spirit and God’s purpose for our lives.

Do you see the power this little word “if” can exercise? I would be a referral about (there is that word again) I failed to quote another passage that emphasizes what it means to be one of Christ’s followers. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus tells his disciples, “If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross daily and follow me.”

There is much we can unpack from this verse, but Jesus speaks directly. To be one of his followers, we must be willing to deny ourselves, die to our own wishes and follow him where he leads. It may seem like a difficult statement – because it is. But as he said, If We want to be true followers, these are the conditions. We can say, “there are no ifs, ands or butt about it.”

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Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and newspaper editor. Bob has written, co -authors and edited more than 15 books. These include the recently published “Marketplace Ambassadors”; “Business at its best: Timeless wisdom from proverbs for today’s workplace”; “Tufting Legacies”, “The Heart of Mentoring” and “To Strive for Life with a Shepherd Heart.” A weekly business meditation he edits, “Monday Manna”, is translated into more than 20 languages ​​and sent via E -post around the world by CBMC International. The address of his blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His e -mail address is [email protected].