The “If” Factor

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”  Mark 9:24

On Sunday the sermon was called The “If” Factor. It stemmed from us so often living in the tug of war between the “what if’s” and the “if only’s”. If we’re honest we’ve all found ourselves so often living in the past regrets and fears of the unknown future. And both of them are paralyzers or at the very least hindrances. Tools that the enemy uses so well to steal the things Jesus died and rose again to give us to experience the abundant life He spoke of.

Whether it’s a “what if” or a “if only”, they challenge our faith, and since Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it’s impossible to please God, faith is necessary in our relationship with Him. Thankfully, Romans 10:17 tells us how to develop more faith, by hearing the Word of God! Now comes some truly amazing and important information about His Word. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, the language of God, and it has only two tenses, the past and the present, there is no future tense like the Greek and English. And even the past tense many times is written as it is something that always was and still is. Like in Genesis 17:4-5. In the English it’s written like God is telling Abram in the future he will be the Father of many nations and his name will be changed to Abraham. But in the word for word translation to English it’s  stated, he already is the father of many nations and that his name always was Abraham and that’s what he will be called.

So what does that mean to us. It means we need to start talking and walking in the “as if”. We know from Isaiah 53:5 by Jesus stripes we are healed, John 14:27 reminds us He gave us His peace, 2 Peter 1:3 He says He provides us with everything pertaining to live our lives. If you’re saved, you already have them, so now walk in them as if you’re aware that you already have them, even if you don’t see them yet. Speak God’s language in faith and call those things that are not as though they were and watch what you believe overcome your unbelief and you will be seeing what you are hoping for.