Conditional Statements

by Hugh DeLong

In John 15, Jesus speaks with the Apostles, and in what he says, we see many ‘if’ statements and conditional sentences. Note the list:

• "If anyone does not abide in  Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned" (John 15:6).
• "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7).
• "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love" (John 15:10).
• "You are My friends if you do what I command you" (John 15:14).

Our relationship with Jesus is an active one on both parts. We actively abide in Him by letting His word abide in us (cp. Colossians 3:16-17), and thus, letting His teaching direct our lives. Within such a relationship, we are His friend. These instructions show us the pathway to being recreated in His image (cp. Ephesians 4:17-21). This is a process as we start out as ‘babes’, but then grow with the milk of the word (I Peter 2:2).

In our singing, we sometimes sing the hymn “I’ll be a Friend to Jesus” – we need to then follow through on this ‘promise’. Are you a friend to Jesus? Read the words to this hymn (below), then read John 15 again.

1. They tried my Lord and Master,
With no one to defend;
Within the halls of Pilate
He stood without a friend.

2. The world may turn against Him,
I'll love Him to the end,
And while on earth I'm living,
My Lord shall have a friend.

3. I'll do what He may bid me;
I'll go where He may send;
I'll try each flying moment
To prove that I'm His friend.

4. To all who need a Savior,
My Friend I recommend,
Because He bro't salvation,
Is why I am His friend.

Ch. I'll be a friend to Jesus,
My life for Him I'll spend;
I'll be a friend to Jesus,
Until my years shall end.

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father" (Colossians 3:16-17).