According to the "Concordance of the Greek New Testament" (1982), the little word, "if" means, "a condition of uncertainty, with action required by the hearer, in order to receive the promise.” This word has only two letters in its makeup, but it is one of the most important words in the Bible. Let's look at a biblical example in 1 John 1 of just how important this little word is.
In 1 John 1:6-10 (KJV), "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” John uses the little word, "if" five times. In so many words, he is stating that in our Christian walk, we can continually be cleansed by the blood of Christ "if" we are willing to (1) "walk in the light" (of God's word – Psalm 119:105 – "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”), and (2) "confess our sins" before God. Note that the blessing of our continually being cleansed by Christ's blood is conditioned on whether or not we continually adhere and are obedient to the word of God (1 John 1:7 – "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Matthew 7:21 – "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Hebrews 5:9 – "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.” James 1:25 – "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”