Conditional

5.25.2011

1 Kings 11:4 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. NIV

God repeatedly warned Solomon not to give in to the culture and blessings around him (Cf. 1 Kings 3.14, 6.12, 9.6; 1 Chronicles 28.9; 2 Chronicles 7.17, 19). Nowadays, many like to think that relationship with God hinges on the condition of unconditional. Nothing could be farther from the truth – relationship with God is conditional. His love is unconditional, but relationship with Him is always conditional – that’s one of the conditions of freewill.

Imagine for a moment you commit adultery (have extramarital sex, while married, with another person – or have sex with a married person). The damage is devastating and deadly. There are conditions in marriage that say, (I/we) will be [sexually] faithful to each other as long as we both shall live. That’s conditional. In marriage, there are consequences for not keeping the condition(s). Our relationship with God is no different.

So God intentionally reminded Solomon (His choice for king) over and over, “If you walk before Me in… (integrity, faithfulness, devotion) I will… (bless, provide, etc.). I find at least six references to that in the Bible’s accounts of Solomon’s history.

Let me ask, when is the beginning of the end? Some might say, at birth. Others might point to making poor choices early in life and giving in to peer pressure. Still others may say when he/she married that woman/man. When is the beginning of the end? Others might emphatically say that the beginning of the end is when so and so decided to turn his/her life over to Christ. And then the beginning of the end became the beginning of the beginning…

The beginning of the end is always potentially when we turn from one thing to another. Solomon’s wives (I can’t imagine 700 wives and 300 concubines – sorry girls, it’s a guy thing…) turned his heart from following God. Solomon is to blame because he didn’t keep the “If you” condition. He suffered from the “If you” consequence. Solomon gambled with freewill and lost; and so did his kingdom.

Father in Heaven,
Lord, You know all the thoughts and things floating around in my mind; You know my imaginations. Help me to often remember the gamble Solomon took and to walk in the wisdom You give and the purity You provide in Jesus Christ – in His Name, amen.