The “If” of Man

A diseased leper who came to Christ took a great risk when he did so. Leprosy was considered contagious, and Jewish law said a leper had to stand one hundred to three hundred paces away from a clean person, depending upon the direction of the wind. On this occasion, the leper fell at Jesus’s feet and said, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean" (Luke 5:12). In response, Jesus removed the “if” and said, "I will; be clean" (Luke 5:13).

Jesus removed the “if” of doubt, and the leper was immediately made whole! The “if” of man is connected to knowing the will of God. Satan’s “if” attempts to make a person doubt the promises of God, but the human “if” begins to doubt the willingness of God to perform what He has spoken. It does little good to believe that God can if you do not believe that God will. Think for a moment. God can save the lost, but will God save your family? God can baptize believers in the Holy Spirit, but will God baptize you in the Holy Spirit? God can heal, but will God heal you? The “if” of man questions the willingness of God to perform His promises.

The "If" of Satan

Have you ever head the saying, "If" is the largest word in the dictionary"?  It is a pretty big word in the Bible also.  It is used 1,541 times in the KJV. The word can mean, "In the event that, granting that, or on the conditions that."

There are three areas where the word "if" is very significant.

1.  The "If" of Satan
2.  The "If" of Man
3.  The "If" of God

Let's look at the "If" of Satan today.

During his temptation of Jesus he used the word if twice. In each case he was trying to create unbelief  in Christ's mind concerning His relationship with God. Satan was demanding that Jesus prove He was the Son of God.

"And the tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be turned into bread" (Matthew 4:3)

" And said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written,
‘He shall give His angels charge concerning you,’ and In their hands they shall lift you up,
lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone’” (Matthew 4:6).

The "if" of Satan is designed to cause you to question the Word of God. When things are falling apart people have such questions in their mind such as, "If God loves me, why is this happening to me?" Or "If God answers pray, why hasn't he answered mine yet?"  Some question why they are not healed or why is some family member not saved yet.

When your adversary the devil brings an "if" to your mind he is trying to plant a seed of doubt toward the promises of God's goodness and faithfulness.

The Temple and Your Priestly Responsibility

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy. And you are His temple" (I Corinthians 3:16-17).

God wanted a mobile temple.  The physical body of the believer is now the temple of His Holy Spirit.  There was three parts to the temple just like there are three parts to man.

The Temple in Jersalem.                           The Human Body
The outer court                                           The body (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
The inner court.                                          The soul (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
The Holy of Holies.                                    The spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Part of our priestly responsibility is to keep both the outer and inner parts in good repair. We have to be careful of what we let enter into our temple.  Things enter into our soul through various gates...eye gate, ear gate.  Somethings enter our body through the mouth gate.  Sometimes it's not what we eat but what eats us.  Unforgiveness is a huge problem even amount Christians.  I believe it causes disease (the body, soul, and spirit to be in turmoil and unable to be at ease). A sickness can enter into the body and now we try to cure a sickness or disease by medicine when it requires a surgery of forgiveness, prayer, and confession.

Remember, your body is God's Temple.

The Priesthood of the Believer (Part 2)

It has always been God's intention to have a kingdom of priests. "And you will be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). Israel has not become this yet because of their idolatry, but God did not abandon the idea. Through Peter He said to the church, " But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may declare the goodness of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

In John's revelation here is how he described Christ in heaven, "I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks, and in the midst of the seven candlesticks was one like a Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and with a golden sash wrapped around the chest" (Revelation 1:12-13).  John was seeing Christ as the heavenly High Priest.  This is when John reveals that we are a kingdom of priests.  Revelation 1:5-6, as the Greek renders it, says that we are not just priests but a kingdom of priests.

As a personal priest we can bodily approach the heavenly Temple with our petitions.  We can offer up spiritual sacrifices, gifts, and thanksgiving.