Dear Ones:
To be such a small word, “IF” carries with it great significance. It seems to be a substitute for that which is conditional, or the certification of a promise. For example, “IF you believe this, then THIS will occur.” This is the conditional use. But if we say, as Elijah said, “IF I be a man of God…,” then we are talking about that which actually IS, and as a result, there is great promise and power. Again, in the case of Elijah, when enemy soldiers came to apprehend them, he called down fire out of heaven on the basis of “IF,” the very declaration that he was a man of God, and that God had directed him to do so. What about us? Do we live in the conditional, or do we live in the certainty of promise.
When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he used the word “IF” at a very crucial juncture in his letter. “IF ye then risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:1-3) The Apostle began his letter by addressing those at Colosse as “….saints and faithful brethren in Christ.” (1:2) So, as we look at the word “IF” when used in chapter 3, let us do so, not so much as a conditional matter, but the certification of a promise. These brethren, when they believed, were placed IN CHRIST. Positionally, they died with Him, were buried with Him, raised to newness of life in Him, and seated in heavenly places in Him. This was (is) a certainty. With that certainty comes great promise…access to the Father in the name of Christ…and this with boldness. It means that the veil has been rent in two, and that the throne of grace can be approached by all those who are “risen with Christ.” Christ is not only our great High Priest who intercedes for us always before the Father, but IN HIM at the right hand of God, is found every resource that we need for life and godliness, that we might KNOW Him, experience Him, and give Him to a lost and dying world. Hence, “Seek those things which are above…set your affection on things above.” In other words, be heaven (Christ) oriented, bringing down to earth, the very essence of heaven (IN Christ), that His kingdom comes and that His will is done.
The very small word “IF” has now become a “heavenly hyphen…” It is the connecting point between faith and the very life of Christ. It is more than just the expression of that which is conditional…it is the certainty of promised blessing. “When Christ, who IS our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” May we trust the living Christ by the Spirit to “dwell in our hearts by faith” today, and so, reveal the blessedness of His life in and through us to others.
Love, Dad