If……..

It has been, and continues to be of great interest to me, to study the “if’s” of the scriptures, for the basis of an “if” is a hypothesis, almost algebraic in structure, where there are at least one constant and one variable. Depending on the variable will affect the solution or answer to the equation. This is equally true with scripture, because our God, the creator, is an entity of order, and not confusion.

In the study of the first chapter of 1 John, there are 5 hypothesis or “if’s” that have to be answered by every person. Let’s look at them.

It is established in verse 5, that there is no darkness in God because He is the author of light, so when in verse 6 it says, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and we walk in darkness, (Then) we lie, and do not the truth.” Please note there is light and darkness, no shadows or “grey” area here.

Verse 7: “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, (Then) we have fellowship one with another, and blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” Please note here, that it is predetermined by “we walk in the light”, that if fellow believers are not “in fellowship” with each other, or are at odds with each other, one or both are not walking in the light. Fellowship in this equation requires both to be walking in the light.

Verse 8: This verse negates the doctrine of “sinless perfection”: “If we say we have no sin, (Then) we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” We know the doctrine of sinless perfection is negated here, because the Apostle John addressed this letter to believers, concerning their conduct.

Verse 9: “If we confess our sins, (then) He is faithful to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This hypothesis, is about holiness, sanctification, being conformed to His image. We can assume this because again, John is addressing believers not those outside of Christ. The caveat to this is, if we are not continually being transformed, if we are not being sanctified or set apart (part of daily confessing our sin and shortcomings), the initial act of salvation probably never happened. The true mark of a believer is the desire to grow in Christ, not acquire a “Holy Fire Insurance Policy”. The further proof of this is in verse 10: “If we say that we have not sinned, (then) we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” Simply stated, if His Word is not in us, we have not experienced His Salvation.

We must be aware of the if’s and then’s in scripture, Practice the “if” where it leads to a “then” that invokes transformation and blessing in our life and the lives of other, honors Christ, and brings glory to Him; and avoid the “if” that can bring shame to the name of Christ, and damnation upon our own lives.

Something to meditate on…..

All biblical text from KJV. Items in parenthesis do not appear in the text, but are implied textually.