THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘What If? . . .’ (1993)

Tom Claibourne wrote this article for us almost exactly 30 years ago. Tom continues to preach Bible truth each week at Bethlehem Church of Christ near Winchester, Ohio. 

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What If? . . . 

By Tom Claibourne 
July 11, 1993; p. 7 

It is a futile mind game, but some­times the “What if . . .” routine is quite thought-provoking. What if . . . 

• Isaiah had been scared away from the ministry by gloomy numerical projections?  

• Paul had compromised doctri­nally? 

• Joseph had said “yes” to Potiphar’s wife? 

• Pilate had not given in to peer pressure? 

• Abraham had also pitched his tent toward Sodom? 

• Jonah had gone to Nineveh the first time God told him? 

• The young, bewildered Mary had chosen to abort Jesus? 

• Nicodemus had been afraid to meet with the radical, itinerant preacher from Nazareth?  

• Herod had not been so jealous and insecure?  

• Saul’s spear had not missed David? 

• Moses had refused to lead God’s people out of Egypt? 

• Peter had maintained his preju­dice against Gentiles? 

• Samson had exercised more self­-control? 

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed­nego had lacked faith? 

• Mordecai had bowed down to Haman? 

• Jesus had quit before the cross? 

• Elijah had backed down on Mount Carmel? 

• Judas had asked forgiveness instead of committing suicide? 

• Ananias and Sapphira had not been so concerned about impressing people? 

• John the Baptist had given in to those who said, “What Herod does in his personal life is irrelevant to the nation”?  

• The rich young ruler had not walked away still controlled by his possessions?  

• Paul’s tent business had taken precedence over his ministry?  

• Ruth had remained in Moab with Orpah? 

• David had refused to repent of his sexual sin? 

• The church at Ephesus had not lost its first love? 

• Priscilla and Aquila had not lovingly corrected Apollos?  

• Eli had been a more involved and effective father? 

• Barnabas had not encouraged John Mark? 

• Jesus had not risen from the grave? 

• Agrippa had said to Paul, “Okay, I’ll accept Christ now. There’s no need to delay”?  

What if? 

We can speculate. We can wonder. We can debate.  

But God’s Word is final. What is done is done. We cannot change the past, nei­ther in antiq­uity, nor the day before yes­terday.  

The thought is sobering. Our deci­sions have lifetime and eternal implications. Countless people are affected. 

It matters what direction we take in life. It matters how we use our time. It matters what we say to oth­ers.  

Let’s live holy lives. Let’s walk by faith. Let’s digest the Word of God and keep in step with the Spirit. Let’s make the most of the moments. Let’s put first things first. Let’s live each day and make each decision in light of eternity.  

Tom Claibourne ministers with Bethlehem Church of Christ, Winchester, Ohio.