Filtering the Faith Today: If / Then, Part 1

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Series III IF/THEN - Part I

April 12th 2026

Today’s Sunday schooled is the beginning of the third series this year – we are calling it, If/Then.

I want to begin by presenting you with nine If’s first – pay particular attention to the biblically supported truths as we supply them – they matter.

Once we have these firmly established (hopefully to your personal satisfaction) we can work together in addressing their particular values relative to natural reasonable outcomes.

So, to the first “if” (or since is) . . .

GRAPHIC

If or since sin has been paid by Christ in full for the human race.

What sin are we talking about?

First of all there are sins produced in and within ourselves that come with being human and even predestination weakness – this cannot be overlooked.

They are the results of genetics, nurture, experience, defect, weakness, circumstance, ignorance and pre-dispositional mindsets.

All of these are the result of the Fall of our first parents and any that have power beyond an individuals ability to rightly and fully choose fall under the category of paid in full.

Even those that occur due to choice based of defective thinking, being and decision making for which there is always forgiveness.

That said, in this world, criminal actions are punishable and we stand on this Spirit of Man reality fully.

But there are other sins that scripture speaks about that are entirely ours that have to do with three areas –

Will.

Faith.

Love.

Relative to will, these are the things where our predetermined elements, once taken into account, are not part of the equation but the actions are fully based on the heart-desires to do or not do what we otherwise know it errant, wrong, selfish or evil.

I am not talking about will because we are weak in flesh or otherwise, I am talking about decisions that are done because we want and choose to act deliberately in the face of knowing reasons to not.

Will is another way to describe the heart matter of our lives and under the banner sits our choices to submit to faith and love – two other realms of sin which are not written off by the blood of Christ.

Understand, I am not talking about not having faith in something for innumerable reasons – I am talking about having faith and electing to act otherwise.

God is certainly judge but because He assesses the heart, He knows whether our failures are deliberately in the face of what Him and His will or just a matter of inability, weakness or being too damaged to do otherwise.

Self-will from the heart are sins that remain unforgiven when they are willful actions committed because we just don’t care.

Same with failing to love when we are both equipped, know better but elect non-love because we will it over doing the will of God.

Again, not talking about crimes of passion, even momentary lust or greed or avarice – nor am I talking about crimes and sins that are driven biologically, emotionally or caused by some other defective trait - I am talking about a heart that willfully does evil because it wants to.

So, when I speak of sin being taken care of, the whole story is sins that are a product of all things enforced upon us and when I speak of sins that remain its attitudes and actions of the will (or from the heart) and in this world the law determines culpability and in the Spirit such things are determined by God who knows all things.

We would suggest that when a person elects humility over pride, contrition over obstinance, that in time, they will accord themselves to submitting to Him for help. And the fact of the matter is, the help we are looking to get is control over our own faithless and or unloving hearts.

When Paul writes, in Galatians 6:7

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Sows is written in the present active indicative tense and a corresponding present or future tense for "reaps." This indicates a general, timeless, and habitual principle rather than a one-time act.

I other words it describes a continuous, steady sowing (written better as "sows, sows, sows") a person's constant, habitual actions that are from the heart.

It’s almost like trying to compare a person who in a fit of anger punches someone and kills them verses someone who elects to be mean to others because they like it. Very different coverage for sin – thank God He is the judge.

The ironic thing is the impetuous manslaughterer will do time while the mean neighbor escapes scott free – at least here.

But again and specifically, all the defects, choices and actions in the human realm that are the direct influence and results of the Fall have been taken out of the way.

The scripture tacitly, and Paul directly, assigns the title of Adam to the incarnate Yeshua of Nazareth for a reason.

Just as all humanity is historically linked to our first parents Fall, believers in the Apostolic Record are spiritually linked to Christ's resurrection and after His return, this link is bestowed upon the world whether belief is present or not.

Where Adam failed in the first garden (Eden), Yeshua was obedient in the garden experiences of His life (Gethsemane/Garden tomb).

So, Yeshua, as the last Adam, initiates a new humanity, under a new heaven and new earth from a new Jerusalem in and through the New Man rather than continuing the old, fallen line of unforgiven flesh.

Because all of us were impacted by the first Adam in our lives all of us are impacted by the second by His.

Somehow, we have forgotten this principle. Unlike the first Adam, who brought sin and death into our lives, Yeshua brought righteousness and life – or as we read, in response to sin and death,

For the Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Yeshua the Christ our Lord.

The most direct reference to this is where Paul writes,

"The first man, Adam, became a living soul; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit".

He is also called the "second man" from heaven. 1st Corinthians 15:45-47

But while not using the explicit term "second Adam," Romans 5:12-21 posits Yeshua as the antithesis of the first Adam when Paul wrote,

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Yeshua Christ, hath abounded unto many.

16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Yeshua Christ.)

18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Yeshua Christ our Lord.

In Philippians 2:5-11 Paul says,

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Yeshua:

That is a bold statement folks as Paul says, “Let this MIND BE IN YOU WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST”

Ponder on that for a minute.

And how does he describe the mind that was in Christ? That he says should also be in them? He describes the mind/heart in Christ as saying,

6 Who, (so not speaking of us here) being in the form of God,

But we not also “made in His image?” And since “form” here means nature of God, were we not also given the same from the beginning?

This is clearly speaking of the divine nature within Man, which was fully operational in the Man Christ.

Who being in the form of God . . . thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

And then we read about the mind that was in Christ that Paul says should also be in us, adding,

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Yeshua Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Even in Pilates declaration of Christ, he may have unintentionally referenced Adam, when we read in John 19:5,

John 19:5 Then came Yeshua forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, “Behold the man!”

Because Adam is known as the first Man some believe that Christ entering Pilates presence caused him to prophetically state, referencing the thorns the first Adam’s actions produced for us, the Ecco homo, Latin for the First Man.

In Eden, God saw that all He created was good. Here Pilate instructed his audience mockingly about the end result of that first man’s self-willed actions – one wearing a crown of thorns (introduced by Adam), beaten, and robed in insulting purple, headed for death, the very wages of sin Adam introduced.

Death for who? Believers only?

1st John 2:2 reads,

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.)

1 John 2:2 uses the present indicative active tense (and “He is") to declare that Yeshua in that day was currently and continuously the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for sins.

As the writer of Hebrews says, He once and for all made propitiation.

This present tense in that day highlights the ongoing efficacy of Christ's work, providing a perpetual advocacy and atonement first for the Bride, then after the destruction for the whole world.

Commentators maintain that this was only applicable to believers but we maintain that that was true for them/then but was for all the world thereafter when all prophecy was fulfilled.

You are free to disagree but the ramifications of that disagreement will lead to some unfortunate results in your heart from what we can see.

So that is the first IF or Since – “If or since Christ has paid for the sins of the world.”

Keep that IF in mind. The second is

(GRAPHIC)

“If (or since) Satan has been defeated.”

Truth be told Satan's biblical origin evolves over the ages beginning with him beings a heavenly "accuser" or prosecutor subordinate to God (mentioned in the Hebrew Bible from books like Job, Zechariah) then into a malevolent, rebellious singular entity that started out as a good angel and fell.

There does remain the possibility that what the once good angel tasted in its assigned role to accuse the brethren for God sunk in and the angel enjoyed the job more than he was supposed to.

When did the evolution of Satan get legs? Interestingly it is believed that it was during the intertestamental period (the 400 years of silence) before the arrival of Christ and then also from various interpretations from the Apostolic Record.

Traditionally identified as a fallen angel—sometimes wrongly called, Lucifer – this being is said to have fallenl from heaven due to pride and a desire to be worshiped (Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28).

In the Old Testament the term ha-satan appears with the definite article, meaning "the accuser" or "the adversary". And as mentioned he acted as a member of God's court, tasked with questioning human righteousness, notably in the Book of Job, where he tests Job with God's permission.

During the intertestamental period, (influenced by Persian Zoroastrianism), the view of Satan shifted from a loyal prosecutor to a dualistic antagonist in direct opposition to God.

While not explicitly linking the name "Satan" to a fallen angel in a single narrative, many theologians interpret passages like Isaiah 14:12-15 ("How you have fallen from heaven, morning star...") and Ezekiel 28:12-17 (referring to a "guardian cherub" in Eden) as describing Satan’s original perfection and fall due to pride.

In the Apostolic Record Satan is identified as the "serpent of old" mentioned in Genesis 3, “a tempter” (tempting Jesus, Matthew 4), the "ruler of this world" (John 12:31), and a "great red dragon" in Revelation cast down from heaven.

The New Testament predicts Satan’s ultimate defeat, where he is thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

Because ha Satan appears to be a title a being or people can possess or embrace, there is wonder if the title was transferred to other agents of death and accusation in the heaven and world before Christ overcame its powers.

Because of Revelation refers to false Jews (meaning people of Abraham that were not of faith) as of the synagogue of Satan, and because synagogue means an assembly or gathering, and because Yeshua told the Jewish leaders in His day,

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

I tend to believe that in Yeshua’s time ha Satan was embodied in the Nations leaders who were the ultimate accusers of the brethren because of their worship of the Law, and Christ defeated both that reality and those accusers once and for all.

But this is not enough to prove Satan has been overcome fully by Christ. That support comes from other scriptures like when Yeshua says in John 12:31,

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

John 12:31 uses the present tense to emphasize the immediacy of the judgment and the certainty of Satan’s defeat through Jesus' upcoming crucifixion.

"Now" indicates that the pivotal moment of victory, though future to the audience, is present and accomplished in the mind of Christ.

The Greek uses the present indicative estin (is), indicating the judgment was currently arriving.

While often translated with "will" (future tense in many English versions) to denote the impending action of the cross, the verb tense and "now" highlight a certain, imminent event.

Yeshua refers to his death as the direct, final confrontation that removes Satan's influence and initiates a new era that was unfolding both in heaven and on earth through a new creation akin to the first through Adam and the making of the Children of Israel under Law.

Again, and even before the cross, Yeshua also said, giving reasons for the coming of the Holy Spirit in John 16:11

Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Tthe verb phrase "has been judged" (or "is judged") uses the perfect tense (Greek: kekritai) a tense that indicates that the judgment of the ruler of this world (Satan) was a completed action in the past with ongoing, permanent results.

In other words, what Yeshua said was already achieved and remained effective even before it was finished.

When Paul wrote in Romans 16:20,

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Yeshua Christ be with you. Amen;

Two things to note – the word translated bruise here is better read, crushed, and “under your feet shortly” means nothing less – is was happening soon from when Paul wrote it.

Additionally, Paul was speaking of Satan’s total and ultimate destruction here literally and not just in theory or what was already achieved spiritually.

When the writer of Hebrews wrote in

Hebrews 2:14, speaking of the incarnation of Christ,

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

The passage primarily uses the aorist tense in Greek (specifically meteschen for "partook" and katargese for "might destroy/render powerless").

The aorist indicates a definitive, completed action in the past—Christ's incarnation and death—which accomplished the permanent, decisive victory over the devil's power.

The only thing that the Bride was waiting for was the wrap up, which was coming fast and John says in Revelation that he went about like a roaring lion knowing that “his time was short.”

Paul also spoke of Christ victory when he wrote in Colossians 2:15 (pay attention to the tense)

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Using the Greek tense, Colossians 2:15 uses the aorist tense (specifically participles and a main verb) in the Greek text, which denotes completed, punctiliar action in the past.

So the verbs "spoiled," "made a show/public spectacle," and "triumphed" indicate a finalized, decisive victory by Christ over demonic powers through the cross, not an ongoing process.

Finally, because the Book of Revelation was written to the Seven Churches then and contained everything that was about to happen to them in heaven and earth in the Revelation of Christ, when we read,

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Followed by Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

And because Christ Himself affirms that all of the things were about to happen quickly to them/then, we maintain much against the traditions of religious Man, that ha Satan was not only rendered powerless by the Second Adam but was destroyed.

Interestingly, the Greek tense is verse 10

Revelation 20:10 mixes past, present, and future tenses to describe the final judgment of Satan.

Listen - it used past tense for the action ("was thrown" / “was cast”), present tense for the ongoing location of the beast and false prophet (where they "are"), and future tense for the eternal punishment ("will be tormented").

Most Bible readers today cannot fathom a world without Satan and along with sound eschatology they cling to its presence in the world today as obvious.

I would remind such people of the following –

Humanity is very capable of doing evil on our own without a being seducing or some devil causing it.

Remember, Eve fell in her own head before she fell by taking the forbidden fruit. She decided while good to defy God’s orders.

And remember what James said in James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (no Satan there)

Finally, remember if the belief that Satan was once a created angel of light that fell, something caused the original that had access to the presence of God to rebel – that is the power that remains in this world and I would summarize it as FAR more powerful than a being that fell and never-ever ending because it is the absence of God which freewill appears to construct when it is devoid of enough light.

GRAPHIC

The Third If is If or Since God has been reconciled to the world.

All we have to do is turn to 2nd Corinthians 5:18-19 and read to be initially inclined to believe the reconciliation has happened and is not an ongoing or future event. It says

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Yeshua Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 uses a mix of past and present tenses to describe the accomplished work of Christ and its ongoing application.

"Reconciled" (v. 18) and "gave" (v. 18) are aorist tense, meaning in the past and showing completed action, while "was in Christ reconciling" (v. 19) indicates a continuous, ongoing process while Christ was incarnate.

Bottom line, the aorist tense shows a completed action, so the line, written nearly 2000 years ago is

“And all things are of God, who has once and for all reconciled us to himself by Yeshua Christ.”

And this brings us to the last IF to consider today and that is, If

“The Wrath of God has been appeased once and for all.”

The Bible presents the wrath of God in different ways relative to the setting and age.

His wrath, because He is love, is seen more as holy, just, and necessary (with response to his freewill creations for how could a fair and loving God be wrathful to predetermined souls) rather than a fit of temper.

The wrath of God is often depicted as a "burning" judgment (often called the day of the Lord or "wrath of the Lamb") that threatens sinners and the unsaved and typically believers today see that wrath abated and escaped through faith in Jesus Christ, who took the penalty of wrath on the cross.

The basis for faith saving people from God’s wrath makes the choice of faith conditional and entirely on each persons shoulders hence the call from every major city corner for the world to repent.

Repentance and the call of it was on the backs of the Jews who were given the Law and the Prophets and miracles and support for God for over 1500 years.

Because the world of human beings is still carnal and rebellious many people maintain that everything from God today that causes us individual or collective pain comes from His wrath and anger.

Because God was wrathful toward the Nation in their sinfulness and idolatry to me suggests that it was in response to their wickedness but aimed at bringing them to their senses.

Unfortunately, religious tradition has almost entirely overlooked what angered Him (their rebellious hearts) and that there was no covering for their unrighteousness.

Because, as proven, that Christ paid for the sins of the world and because the accuser has been removed, patience has replaced wrath brought on by Christ’s finished works and it seems that what most call God’s wrath is nothing more than God, like a longsuffering parent, giving his human creations time to find Christ in them, to come to their senses, and if they don’t punishment in the afterlife is frankly established in receiving rewards for faith and love or not.

The error comes when believers maintain that people have to believe to be saved from His wrath, which they believe is stored up for the second coming and abides on rebellious souls in the hereafter.

When the scripture speaks of a day of wrath people who see that as a future event overlook the plain text of all we have covered today, and frankly misappropriate a former state God had to the present, ignoring the context.

They also tend to believe paradoxically believe that God poured his wrath out on his son rather than turning Him over to evil hands and allowing Him to suffer the pains of sin and death through human choice rather then through His anger for our sin resting upon Him.

We know too that if God poured his wrath out on His Son that this would not only be unjust but we have to ask,

“Where did the wrath come from that He poured out on the Nation as promised?

Bottom line, God was, in fact, reconciled to the world as Paul claims, His wrath abides on no one now or later, but as a good parent and not an absentee manager, He will chastise, teach, discipline, prune and cut back – especially His children through faith.

We will stop here and continue on with more If’s next week.

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