WHAT IF

by Charles Robey
(Trussville AL)

(In the American slaughter of the English language, we use the term "What if" to suppose something, or to take something as an assumption. A sentence that begins with "what if" basically presents a condition and asks what a (or the) result will be, would be, or would have been if that condition is/were had been fulfilled. In other words, "what" basically asks for the other half of the IF-sentence. Here are some examples: What if he isn't there? Should I leave a message? What if I take this road and the train stops me? Should I go another route, etc.?)

As with any other phase of society, there are a lot of "pipe dreams or "what if's" out there in the Christian world. And, as a retired church lay-leader, I've probably heard them all, or a big majority of them. So, based on experience, here's my short list of "WHAT IF's".

WHAT IF- Everyone believed and recognized God, as the one and only true God.(Deuteronomy 6:4)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed in the "Holy Trinity" consisting of "God the Father", "God the Son" and "God the Holy Spirit". (1 Timothy 2:5) (John 14:16-17)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that God was the sole creator of the universe.( Genesis 1:1)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that the "Garden of Eden" sin resulted in all mankind being born in sin and in need of a redeeming Savior.(Genesis 3:15)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that God the Son was born, in human form, to redeem the world of the "Garden of Eden " original sin. And that the Son was truly and properly both God and man.(Matt 3:16-17)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed Jesus Christ died on a cruel cross to redeem mankind's sin nature.( 1 Peter 2:24)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that God raised Jesus Christ from the grave, in three days, to defeat sin. ( 1 Corinthians 15:3)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven, a short period after His resurrection. (Acts 1:9)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of God, making intersession for all believers.(Romans 8:34)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that Jesus Christ is coming back, some day, in the clouds to call His saved believers, living and dead, home. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that Jesus Christ one day will set up His earthly kingdom and rule all mankind .(Revelation 20)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that all Christians will be judged, in heaven, on their deeds.( Rev 20:12)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that all Christians will received one or more crowns in heaven, based on their deeds.
There are five crowns mentioned in Scripture which are promised to God's children upon certain conditions.

l. The incorruptible crown (I Cor. 9:25).
2. The crown of rejoicing (I Thess. 2:19).
3. The crown of glory (I Pet. 5:4).
4. The crown of righteousness (II Tim. 4:8).
5. The crown of life (Jas. 1:12; Rev. 2:10).

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that all the unsaved individuals, living and dead, will one day be judged according to their evil deeds and will be sentenced to an everlasting lake of fire, based on their evil deeds. (Revelation 20:15)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that no one can worked their way, buy their way, or rely on others to get them into heaven. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that Jesus Christ is the only way to come to the Father (God). ( John 14:6)

WHAT IF - Everyone believed in the acceptance of God's free grace, by their faith, is the only way to everlasting fellowship with God. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that " For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed would have eternal life" (John 3:16)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed the 'full gospel" is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)

WHAT IF- Everyone believed that the Holy Spirit comforter lives in the soul of all believers.( Acts 2)

Well, here it is, my Christian world utopia of What If's. If all mankind only believed all these "what if's", what a true utopia that would be. Nonetheless, I guess we will just have to wait on the "glory land" living.

So, let's just memorize and pray daily, Revelation 22:20, "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly," Amen. Come Lord Jesus"

Amen !