“If” is a very small word, but in reality, it’s huge—because of its massive implications. It’s what’s known as a “conditional conjunction.” It creates a condition that joins two thoughts. For example, “If it rains, I will get wet.” The word “if” joins the thought of rain with the wet it brings.
“If” is more often used in the negative to counter disappointment. It was in this context that it once found its way into the lyrics of a hit song lamenting its very existence. The lyrics were, “I don’t believe in if anymore. If’s an illusion.”
When tragedy strikes or disappointment comes, we often say, “If I had reacted faster, that car wouldn’t have run over my dog.” But the reality is that the car did run over the dog, and using the word “if” is nothing but wishful thinking. It doesn’t change reality.
However negative it may be in that context, that tiny word is one of my biggest weapons when I share the gospel.
Let’s say I’m speaking to someone who says he doesn’t believe in God because there’s no evidence. So, I ask him this question:
“If you stand before God on Judgment Day, are you going to be OK? Are you a good person?”
Using the word “if” at the beginning of the question places him in an imaginary scenario. Because it’s imaginary, he doesn’t feel threatened, so it opens a door that would normally be locked and bolted.
“When tragedy strikes or disappointment comes, we often say, “If I had reacted faster, that car wouldn’t have run over my dog.” But the reality is that the car did run over the dog, and using the word “if” is nothing but wishful thinking. It doesn’t change reality. ”
Again, the word “if” at the beginning sets up a scenario in which he finds himself standing before God on the Day of Judgment, even though he doesn’t believe in either God or the Day of Judgment.
It’s just hypothetical, but it gives me license to take him through the Ten Commandments. This shows him what would happen if he found himself in that situation. What he doesn’t realize is that I have just used the moral Law to stir his conscience to do its God-given duty. And often, something that is merely hypothetical suddenly becomes very real.
“If” can also be used to reason with him about the existence of Hell. It gives him another scenario to consider:
“If death is the end, what do you think happens to Hitler, Stalin, and every unpunished murderer? Does justice ultimately matter?”
It can also be used to reason with him about the existence of God:
“If there’s no God, then by default, nothing created everything. That means that nothing gave us flowers and birds and trees—the sun, the moon, the stars, fruits, puppies and kittens, the miracle of the human eye, the marvel of childbirth, and male and female in all species. That is scientifically ludicrous.”
And all that reasoning came because “if” opened the door.
The Scriptures use “if” in the most positive of ways, saying,
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed…” (John 8:31)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” (1 John 1:9)
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
So don’t take the song to heart. Now you can not only believe in “if,” you can use it to reason with the lost.
