Tag Archives: trinitarian theology

Life & Love, Who is God?

The Imperative follows the indicative

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Understanding the imperative and indicative statements found in the Bible is another key to getting a better overview of God’s intent and purpose for all of humanity. Some Christians get confused about the importance of good works in the life of a Christian. Some overvalue good works and say it is a requirement for salvation. On the other hand, some may undervalue it and and say that good works are not important. Some may think of it along these lines.

Imperative and Indicative Explained

So, what are imperative and indicative statements in the Bible? How are these two statements related? Well, simply stated, an indicative statement is a statement of fact. It tells us of what is already true in the Bible. It is a statement of reality. An imperative statement on the other hand is more of a command. It tells us what ought to be, what ought to be done—or not done. And yes, these two are related in the Bible. This is usually the pattern we see in Scripture.

Here are some examples. Paul said that God has “justified us freely by his grace” (Romans 3:24). He also said that “we have been justified through faith” (Romans 5:1). These are statements of what is already true in Christians. These are indicative statements. Paul was telling the believers who they already were in Christ.

In view of this fact, Paul then asked, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” (Romans 6:1) Of course not! That’s what Paul essentially said in verse 2 in answer to his own question. This is an indirect way of saying “Don’t continue sinning. That’s wrong. That’s not the way it ought to be.” That is the imperative side of the coin.

Paul then explained in the rest of the chapter the need for righteous living in view of the fact that Christians were already in Christ — justified by grace through faith. In view of what is already true in Christians (indicative), they ought to behave accordingly (imperative) — based on who they were in Christ.

For another example in Romans 8, Paul continued to explain that these believers had already received the Spirit (Rom. 8:15) — the indicative statement — therefore they had an “obligation” to live according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and not according to the flesh (Rom. 8:12) — the imperative statement.

Become Who You Really Are!

Since Christians are already a new creation in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), Paul was telling them to become who they really were! — as children of God, in Christ — Christians. Since Christians know that God’s love for them is so great and that they are his beloved children (indicative), the apostle John encouraged them to purify (imperative) themselves (1 John 3:1-3).

Christians should not go on sinning (imperative) John added. They were supposed to be “born again” Christians and therefore they should not continue living and practicing sin as a way of life (1 John 3:9). It is incompatible for a Christian to live an ungodly life.

This is essentially what Paul was telling Christians when he said that “grace (indicative) teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness (imperative) (Titus 2:11-13).

In view of the indicative statements found in the Bible about who we already are in Jesus Christ, it is imperative upon us Christians to do that which is right before God. We don’t do “good works” in order to for us get reconciled back to God. Rather, we do “good works” because he has already reconciled us back to him! (2 Cor. 5;18-20).

We do “good works” because it is the right thing to do and the proper response to God’s love and grace that he has lavishly and freely given to us through Jesus Christ! This is essentially the important point which some get confused over. Since we are already in Christ (indicative), let’s act like one not contrary to it (imperative).

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Updated: 8/8/17

Life & Love, Who is God?

Christ For Us in Every Respect

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“Christ in our place and Christ for us in every respect” —Thomas F. Torrance

Many of us who grew up in a Christian environment have been taught since childhood about Christ’s death on the cross. Every year during Holy Week, we hear about the story of Christ’s crucifixion. The atonement of Christ is something we know somewhat. But now that I’m older I thank the Lord for opening my eyes to see a broader and deeper view about the atoning work of Jesus Christ. According to theologian Thomas F. Torrance, “It is curious that evangelicals often link the substitutionary act of Christ only with his death, and not with his incarnate person and life—that is dynamite for them!”

Atonement of Christ

It is only now that I have come to realize that Christ’s atoning work does not only include his death on the cross. The atonement also includes his birth (incarnation), his life, his death (crucifixion), his burial, his resurrection and his ascension. In other words, Christ’s atoning work for all of humanity includes the total person of Jesus Christ who is both human and divine. As Torrance said, “Christ in our place and Christ for us in every respect.” Thanks be to the Lord for this understanding.

Christ For Us in Everything

The atonement involves all that the Lord has done and is doing even up to now as our substitute and representative for all of humanity. The atoning work of Christ did not only begin on the cross. It started even earlier when he was born in Bethlehem. In fact, the atonement began in the triune God’s mind when the Lamb was “slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8).

While the death of Christ is very important, I now realize that something is missing if I only focus on the crucifixion and not on the total person of Jesus Christ. It is equally missing the point if I focus on the incarnation alone or maybe on Christ’s resurrection alone. I now have come to realize that I should look at the atonement of Jesus Christ as a whole, as one complete atoning work of the incarnate person Jesus Christ for all of humanity. It is always good to have a holistic view of salvation.

Christ is Our High Priest Right Now

Right now the Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest who is busy interceding for me and for all of us. He is our only Mediator between God and man and we don’t need any other mediator whether it be saints or whoever. We only have one High Priest and Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5). Through the Holy Spirit, God is busy leading us, guiding us, transforming us to become like Christ — until Christ is formed in us (Galatians 4:19). When the Lord Jesus comes back, our atonement with God will have been finally, completely and fully realized. This is the final fulfillment of our “at-one-ment” with the Lord when he returns. We shall see him face-to-face, and we will be with the Lord forever (1 John 3:1-2).

This is something I look forward to even as I am now enjoying atonement, reconciliation, union and communion, life and love with God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Spirit as his beloved child in Christ at the present time. Isn’t that great?! Hallelujah!

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Updated: 2/02/2020