We all have used the above words to preface some questionable action and possible consequences we could face. What if I’m late? What if I don’t have the money? What if I have an accident? What if I do more than is expected of me? Such is a good question to ask with respect to our spiritual welfare also.
What If I Don’t Study My Bible? – We are exhorted to “give attention to reading, to exhortation and to doctrine.” (1 Tim. 4:13) and to “meditate on the law of the Lord day and night.” (Ps. 1:2) Failure to study the word of God shows a lack of interest in it. This is how God speaks to us, but what if someone is not interested in what He has to say? Most people read magazines, newspapers, and various secular publications—even junk mail and advertisements that fill our mailboxes—but seldom do they read the Bible. God’s word will judge us (John 12:48). What if I don’t know what it says, nor am I interested in knowing? Good question! How would you answer that?
What If I Don’t Pray? – Prayer is how we talk to God. Those who don’t pray evidently have little interest in talking to Him. Christians are told to “pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks.” (1 Thess. 5:17-18) “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16) “…if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14) But what if I know these things and still don’t pray? Good question! How would you answer that?
What If I Don’t Assemble With The Church Faithfully? – We exhort and encourage one another when we come together. We teach and admonish one another, pray for one another, worship God, and praise Him for His many wonderful blessings. We are reminded of our responsibilities in serving Him. But what if we don’t go? What if our absentee record at work was similar to our absences when the church meets to worship? What if we allowed our children to miss school like we let them miss Bible study and worship? Christians are commanded, “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… but exhorting one another.” (Heb. 10:24-25) But what if I just don’t go, unless it’s convenient? Good question. How would you answer that?
What If I Don’t Give As I Should? – The work of the church depends on the contributions of the members. But what if they don’t give? Will the work be limited to that extent? We are commanded to give as we have been prospered. (1 Cor. 16:2) We are not to give sparingly, or grudgingly, but cheerfully and liberally. (2 Cor. 9:7-9) Giving is essential to living the Christian life. But what if I give very little compared to God’s blessings in my life? Good question. How would you answer that?
What If I Ignore The Lost And The Needy? – What if I know souls that are lost and I do nothing to help them learn the truth? What if I know people who are discouraged, suffering, sick, or in need of help, and I’m too busy with my own affairs to be there for them? What if I hear about gospel meetings and other events that are designed to teach the lost and strengthen the church, and I seldom, if ever, go? What if an appeal is made to help clean up around the building, attend an E.C.H.O. group meeting, or be on time for Bible study, and I pay no attention to the appeal?
These are good “what if” questions, and we have our own thoughts and opinions about them. But what really is important is what God thinks.
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