When I was a child, cereal boxes were a lot cooler. Sometimes, they would have a toy inside. Other times, they would have a sweepstakes. It might say, “Send in 10 proofs of purchase and you will be entered to win a free video game console!” And right next to that was some tiny print saying, “Some conditions may apply.” There was a list of if’s that I would have to meet in order to be in the running for the prize, including a one in a million draw. In the Bible, we also see a series of conditions. However, these are not written in small, obscure text. They are bold, obvious, and the prize is guaranteed.
In Leviticus 26:3-4, God told Israel, “If you walk in my statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.”
The word ‘if’ is a powerful word in the Bible. With it, God made a conditional covenant with the children of Israel. His covenant with Jacob was conditional (Gen. 35:9-15), His covenant with Isaac was conditional (Gen. 26:1-5), and His covenant with Abraham was conditional (Gen. 18:1-14). To each of them the Lord promised great things…if they obeyed His commands. God’s favor has never been unconditional.
It is a wonder then why so many denominations preach otherwise. They preach “once saved, always saved” where no amount of sinful living can remove you from God’s grace. Or, they might teach predestination, removing your free will choice altogether. The statement from Leviticus stands out because it comes near the end of the book containing God’s laws for the priesthood and sabbaths. Leviticus is filled with laws. They were strict and complex, yet God still expected Israel to obey them.
As Christians, we do not have such a heavy burden (Gal. 3:10-14). Christ fulfilled the law and by His grace we have been freed from it. But does that mean we are free to sin? Paul said, “Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2). But doesn’t Paul say in chapter 8, verse 1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…?” Yes, he does. Then, he continues, “…who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Do not be deceived. God’s grace is conditional. If we have been baptized into Christ, we are no longer under the burden of the law, but some conditions still apply. If we are faithful until death (Rev. 2:10), if we strive for good works (Jas. 2:14-17), and if we allow the commands of the gospel to abide in us (1 John 2:24), then we will receive the crown of life.