SOME OF THE BIG “IF’S” OF THE BIBLE
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
Perhaps we are not surprised that there are more than 1500 “IF’S” in the Bible. There is an “IF” to all the “things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (II Peter 1:3). After we read the good news that Christ made peace through the blood of His cross, to reconcile all things to God (Colossians 1:20), we have the big “IF” of Colossians 1:23 and I Corinthians 15:2: “IF ye continue in the faith”; “IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you.”
First let us note the all-important Gethsemane “IF” of Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:44: “O My Father, IF it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” “His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Was it possible? Was there another way for God to be just and the Justifier of believing sinners? (Romans 3:24 to 26). There was not. The answer is His agony and cry on the cross, “Finished.” (John 19:30). Note the “IF” of John 11:48 and 53: “IF” we let Him (Christ) thus alone, the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.” “Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put Him to death.” Then Christ’s “IF” in John 12:31 to 33: “Now is the judgment of this world: And I, IF I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die.”
Christ was lifted up and at Calvary the judgment of the world took place. (Hebrews 2:9 - Hebrews 9:26 - I Peter 3:18). By Christ all who believe are justified from all things. (Acts 13:39). There is no judgment for believers in Christ. (Romans 8:1 - Romans 4:5 to 8).
Then the all-important “IF” of I Corinthians 15:17 and 18. “And IF Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”
“IF” Christ had not come forth from death, as He foretold in John 10:17 and 18, what we call “ Christianity” would have passed away with the death of the apostles of Christ. But Christ shewed Himself alive after His death to more than 500 Christians, by many infallible proofs. (I Corinthians 15:4 to 8 - Acts 1:3). Yes, Christ was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification, and He is the only One whereby we must be saved. (Romans 4:20 to 25 - Acts 4:12). This brings us to consider two great “IFS”: “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for IF righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” “IF there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” (Galatians 2:21 and 3:21).
Consider these “IF’S”. IF the children of Adam could have been saved by any human scheme or religious program, there was absolutely no reason why Christ should have been foreordained, before Adam was created, to die on the cross to be the Saviour of the world. (I Peter 1:18 and 19). As we read Christ’s “IF” in Gethsemane and the “IFS” of Galatians 2:21 and Galatians 3:21, we marvel at the presumption, audacity and ignorance of religious sinners who think they can please God and get into heaven without accepting Christ and Calvary. But the explanation is, “the god of this age.” (II Corinthians 4:3 and 4 - Revelation 12:9). The Lord Jesus on earth said that He would have to go back to heaven, before the Holy Spirit would come down from heaven to convict sinners of the sin of rejecting Him. “IF I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; but IF I depart, I will send Him unto you.” (John 16:7).
“IF any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.”
Now we consider three “IF’S”: “That IF thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “IF ye believe not that I AM HE, ye shall die in your sins.” “IF the righteous scarely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (Romans 10:9 - John 8:24 - I Peter 4:18). As Christians, let us remember the “IFS” in I Corinthians 3:14 and Romans 8:17 - I John 1:9 - John 14:3.
Perhaps we are not surprised that there are more than 1500 “IF’S” in the Bible. There is an “IF” to all the “things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (II Peter 1:3). After we read the good news that Christ made peace through the blood of His cross, to reconcile all things to God (Colossians 1:20), we have the big “IF” of Colossians 1:23 and I Corinthians 15:2: “IF ye continue in the faith”; “IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you.”
First let us note the all-important Gethsemane “IF” of Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:44: “O My Father, IF it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” “His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Was it possible? Was there another way for God to be just and the Justifier of believing sinners? (Romans 3:24 to 26). There was not. The answer is His agony and cry on the cross, “Finished.” (John 19:30). Note the “IF” of John 11:48 and 53: “IF” we let Him (Christ) thus alone, the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.” “Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put Him to death.” Then Christ’s “IF” in John 12:31 to 33: “Now is the judgment of this world: And I, IF I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die.”
Christ was lifted up and at Calvary the judgment of the world took place. (Hebrews 2:9 - Hebrews 9:26 - I Peter 3:18). By Christ all who believe are justified from all things. (Acts 13:39). There is no judgment for believers in Christ. (Romans 8:1 - Romans 4:5 to 8).
Then the all-important “IF” of I Corinthians 15:17 and 18. “And IF Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”
“IF” Christ had not come forth from death, as He foretold in John 10:17 and 18, what we call “ Christianity” would have passed away with the death of the apostles of Christ. But Christ shewed Himself alive after His death to more than 500 Christians, by many infallible proofs. (I Corinthians 15:4 to 8 - Acts 1:3). Yes, Christ was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification, and He is the only One whereby we must be saved. (Romans 4:20 to 25 - Acts 4:12). This brings us to consider two great “IFS”: “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for IF righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” “IF there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” (Galatians 2:21 and 3:21).
Consider these “IF’S”. IF the children of Adam could have been saved by any human scheme or religious program, there was absolutely no reason why Christ should have been foreordained, before Adam was created, to die on the cross to be the Saviour of the world. (I Peter 1:18 and 19). As we read Christ’s “IF” in Gethsemane and the “IFS” of Galatians 2:21 and Galatians 3:21, we marvel at the presumption, audacity and ignorance of religious sinners who think they can please God and get into heaven without accepting Christ and Calvary. But the explanation is, “the god of this age.” (II Corinthians 4:3 and 4 - Revelation 12:9). The Lord Jesus on earth said that He would have to go back to heaven, before the Holy Spirit would come down from heaven to convict sinners of the sin of rejecting Him. “IF I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; but IF I depart, I will send Him unto you.” (John 16:7).
“IF any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.”
Now we consider three “IF’S”: “That IF thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “IF ye believe not that I AM HE, ye shall die in your sins.” “IF the righteous scarely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (Romans 10:9 - John 8:24 - I Peter 4:18). As Christians, let us remember the “IFS” in I Corinthians 3:14 and Romans 8:17 - I John 1:9 - John 14:3.
What is the Gospel?
Believing Christ died, that’s
HISTORY.
Believing Christ died for YOUR sins
and rose again, that’s SALVATION.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel
which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,
unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all
that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
according to the scriptures. 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY Pastor J. C. O'Hair
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Bible: King James Version
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