12/03/2024
Do you believe in an “if-then god”?
I used to, and if I’m honest, I probably still do from time to time. If I serve faithfully, then God will reward me. If I do my part, then God will do His part.
This is the god (notice the small “g”) Job’s friends believed in. Bildad, one of those friends, encouraged Job to repent after his extreme calamity. “But if you will seek God earnestly and plead with the Almighty,” he said, “if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your prosperous state” (Job 8:5-6).
We might not say those words quite as bluntly, but isn’t that too often our experience as well? We expect that if we remain faithful, if we “do right” by God, God will “do right” by us.
It seems to me that we develop this human expression early on in childhood. I remember when Luke, our youngest, wanted a particular toy one Christmas, and Laura and I told him that he needed to wait and see what happens at Christmas. With all earnestness, he responded, “But I really, really, really want it!”
As we got closer to Christmas Day, he upped the ante on his pleading and said, “Mom, Dad, I know how much you love me….”
Well played. If you love me, you’ll do what lovable me wants. And this childhood calculation grows into adulthood misconception.
As adults, we think if we can just find the right words, the right formula, the right action, God will give us the “stuff” we want. We may not beg as ferociously as a child, but we can concoct strategic moves and plans hoping to bend the will of God to our own.
The problem with these ill-conceived strategies is that when we look under our Christmas tree and don’t find what we’re looking for, we wonder why God hasn’t blessed us, and we draw one of three conclusions: (1) God doesn’t love me; (2) I’ve disappointed God, and He’s punishing me; or (3) Maybe God isn’t even there.
Think of your current wish list: good health, safety for your family, a wonderful career or retirement, deep relationships, esteemed respect, and financial security. None of these are bad. In fact, all of these are good gifts from God. James wrote, “Every good and perfect gift comes from above” (James 1:17).
What we discover from Scripture, however, is that gifts are not givens. We are not entitled citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. We receive from the Sovereign God His blessings and favor in His way and time and for His purposes. What He brings to us is to be useful for us in enjoying His presence and sharing the gift of His grace with others.
This Christmas, may we find ourselves enjoying and sharing His good gifts with those around us, and in so doing, may we discover a deeper joy than we would ever find if we only got what we wanted from an “if-then god.”
