If

There’s just a one-word difference in the phrases “lifetime warranty” and “limited lifetime warranty.” But the addition of the word limited changes a forever warranty to a temporary one. A single word can change everything.

The word if is just one word, but it has huge implications as well. It signals that whatever outcome is being described is now contingent on a choice. If you do X, then you will receive Y. But if you don’t, well, you won’t. The if matters immensely.

The refuge of God and his Kingdom is only for those who choose to take part in it. This fact is so irritating to human nature. We just want to get on with our life and have God cover us. But that’s not quite how things work.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:1–4).

Jesus is laying out conditions for a flourishing life. Were you aware there were conditions?

He goes on:

“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (verses 5–7, emphasis added).

There is that irritating if again. If we remain in him, the refuge and resources of God are ours. Here is the simple fact: You can choose to leave the protection of God. People do it all the time. You can choose to live either within God and his Kingdom refuge, or you can choose to live outside of it.