Last Wednesday, we had our second session of what we have called “Discover the Word,” a discipleship class which I proposed to the leadership of the ReThink Community and which was approved. At the start we watched a short video on “What is the Bible?” produced by TheBibleProject.com. It’s a good video explaining what the Bible is all about in layman’s terms.

Then we also watched a video interview of Gordon Fee, one of the authors of the book, “How to Read the Bible for All its Worth.” He was interviewed by Dr. Mike Feazell on the topic, “How Should We Read the Bible.” He is also one of the translators of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible. His thoughts are helpful in how to read the Bible well.

At the last part of the session we discussed “Bible Interpretatation 101“ and the value of understanding the various contexts found in the Bible. Here’s a video of that session for those who are interested to follow our weekly discipleship class:

Last night, Discover the Word, a discipleship class which I have proposed and was approved by the leadership of ReThink Community, a local church of Grace Communion International in Santa Rosa, Laguna, began its first meeting with 7 people in attendance including myself.

It has been my passion to share what I have learned about the Bible to everyone who is interested and especially the youth. It is my hope that through this discipleship class, some may find it useful in their Christian walk with God and become transformed by the renewing of their minds — becoming more and more like Christ as years go by.

A few have shown their interest as well but they are quite far from where I am. One person who was interested is now in Qatar,  another one in Baguio, one in Bulacan, another in Cagayan de Oro and another one in Zamboanga City. Since some are interested online, I have video recorded the whole session last night.

I guess I will be doing that each time so that those who are interested wherever they may be can also join us. May the Lord bless this ministry. Please pray for me as well so that I could do this regularly every week. God bless!
Those who missed the class, here is last night’s video:

Discover the Word at Age 18

I was about 18 when I began reading the Bible. I began to Discover the Word when I was still a teenager. Then after some 20 years (ten years as a pastor), I found out that I was actually not reading the Bible the way God intended me to understand it. I found out that I was reading it incorrectly. What I thought for many years was “the truth” was error after all. That was quite devastating to say the least.

Better Understanding By God’s Grace

By God’s grace, the Lord has continued to give me the passion to Discover the Word. He has given me a better understanding now than before about who the Living Word, Jesus Christ really is through his Written Word, the Bible. I now know who the Lord Jesus Christ better now after some decades of re-learning and discarding errors I thought were the real truth.

It’s been about 45 years now since I began reading the Bible as a teenager.  Now that I’m already a senior citizen, I would like to devote and share some of my time for everyone especially for the young ones who might be interested.

Discover the Word, Twice a Month

Every first Wednesday and third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I am devoting my time to conducting the Discover the Word, a discipleship class designed especially for adults and young adults. Through the lessons in class at Discover the Word,  it is hoped that the new believer can learn about the basics that he needs to know as he begins his Christian journey with the Lord Jesus Christ and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Venue

Directions from Google Maps:

Last Friday, I arrived in Barangay Bahile, Puerto Princesa for a pastoral visit and it so happened that one of the pioneers in the area died due to sickness. She was already about 85 years old. Since she was the mother of one of our church members, I and our local church pastor in the area went to visit the bereaved family in their nipa hut home in the evening.

I’ve been to so many funerals in my lifetime and I have conducted funeral services numerous times and during these times, I have seen people who seem lost and groping for answers in the midst of their sorrow and grief over the death of a loved one. And it is during these times that it’s always good to be reminded that there is hope after death.

At the wake, I shared to them the wonderful good news that Jesus has given to us. I related to them the story of Lazarus who was a very close friend of Jesus who died  (John 11). Although Jesus was only about 2 kilometers away (more or less), he intentionally delayed visiting Lazarus for some four days and it bothered Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus.  Martha said, “Lord if only you had arrived earlier, Lazarus would still be alive.”

It truly grieves us when someone close to us dies. We want to search for meaning in life and why there is death. We want to understand what’s going on. To make a long story short, Jesus brought back to life his dear friend Lazarus. And there is a reason and a lesson why Jesus delayed his coming to visit Lazarus.

Jesus wants all of us to learn that even though we die, there is hope, we have hope and we should hope in Jesus. We can and should rest in Jesus. No worries. Everything is under his control even though we may not fully understand what’s going on in our life — or death.

“Jesus said to her (Martha), ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?'” (John 11:25-26 )

Did you notice what Jesus said? He IS the Resurrection and the Life Himself! Let’s put our trust in him. Believe in him and believe him. No need to worry. We can rest in Jesus. Death has been defeated. We have victory in Jesus. We may die a temporal death but we will never die but live forever in Jesus. Believe it and enjoy life and love in him now and forever more.

In English grammar, the indicatives and imperatives are verbs that denote mood. Indicatives are statements of fact or reality while the imperatives are used to give “orders, commands, warnings or instructions.”

In the Bible, the indicatives are statements of what are already true in Christians even at the present time. On the other hand, the imperatives are usually the responses that are expected of Christians in view of the indicatives. These two usually go together. This pattern can be found in Scripture. It is helpful if we are aware of this fact. They go hand in hand.

Unfortunately, some people misunderstand and tend to emphasize one over the other. Some may emphasize the indicatives while disregarding the imperatives and vice versa. The Bible on the other hand clearly shows that both are important.

The imperatives are our responses to the truth of who God is as revealed in Jesus Christ and who we are in him. In view of the truth of God’s good news in Jesus Christ (indicative), we cannot but respond joyfully, positively and even enthusiastically (imperative).

It’s about relationships. God has initiated this relationship with us by reconciling us to himself (indicative). As a positive response to this loving relationship, we gladly welcome God’s loving embrace with joy and excitement and embrace the Lord in return (imperative)! This is not a mechanistic, legalistic response to the conditions of a contract. This is a loving relationship between God and the Christian. It is a loving response in a loving relationship between God and the Christian.

Paul said that it is the grace of God that teaches us to say “No! to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). The good news of grace (indicative) teaches us and compels us to resist ungodliness and to live upright and godly lives (imperative).

We should have a balanced view about the indicatives and imperatives in the Bible and not tip to one side or the other. Both are important as shown in Scripture.

Examples of Imperatives and Indicatives of Grace

Example 1:

Indicative:  God has in Christ already reconciled the world to himself. This is already true. (2 Cor. 5:18-19).

Imperative: Since this is already true that all have already been reconciled in Christ, our response is for us to be reconciled back to God! (2 Cor. 5:20). Through Paul’s letter, we are encouraged to not just accept the truth about our present reality in Christ but to also respond joyfully and positively by actually getting reconciled back to God. Our response should not be looked upon as a forced response or obligation due to the demands of a legal contract but a loving response to a wonderful good news. That’s the way to look at it. It is a loving relationship between God and man — not a contract.

Example 2:

Indicative: According to Paul, Christians have already been raised in Christ (Col. 3:1). That is already their present status in Christ. It’s already a reality.

Imperative: Since that is already the truth and reality for Christians, therefore Paul urged them to set their hearts on things above. (Col. 3:1-2).

The indicatives of grace do bring along with it the imperatives of grace. Both go hand in hand and should both be emphasized as we share the good news to others. Again, it should not be looked upon as a forced obligation to be fulfilled due to a contract. Rather, it is a loving response to a loving and gracious God.

Example 3:

Indicative: Christians have already died in Christ. Their life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is the Christian’s life. Christians will appear with Christ in glory. This is the Christian’s truth and reality right now as well as their future destiny (Col. 3:3-4).

Imperative: In view of the Christian’s reality in Christ, Paul urged them to put to death sin which are in them. This is not sin management in order to be saved. Paul was reminding Christians to act according to who they really were in Christ. (Col. 3:5). A positive, joyous response is expected because of the wonderful good news of who Christians already are in Jesus Christ.

Example 4:

Indicative: Christians have already taken off the old self and have put on the new self (Col. 3:9-10). This is the present status of Christians.

Imperative: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Col. 3:12-13).

Example 5:

Indicative: Christians are already children of God. That is their present truth and reality in Christ. That is who they are in Christ. They will be like Christ with glorified bodies at his second coming — future reality (1 John 3:1-2).

Imperative: In light of who Christians are in Jesus Christ, in light of the hope of a future resurrection and glorification, John was urging them to purify themselves! (1 John 3:3). Those who are sinning are practicing lawlessness or wickedness (1 John 3:4).

Example 6:

Indicative: According to Paul, Christians had already received the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:15). Again, that was their present status in Christ. This is the indicative statement.

Imperative: Therefore, Paul said that these Christians had an “obligation” to live according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and not according to their sinful nature (Rom. 8:12). This is the imperative statement.

These are just some examples I gathered randomly from the Bible. The Bible is filled with the indicatives and imperatives of God’s grace. Both are important and they usually go together. The indicatives of grace does indeed bring about the imperatives of grace. Again, this is not about a legal contract but about a loving relationship between God our Father and with us his children in the Lord.

For Further Reading:

• The Imperative Follows the Indicative
• Clarifying Our Theological Vision

Updated: 8/8/17