One of the big questions that all Christians need to answer is how to live. According to the New Testament, the believer belongs to Christ Jesus, because they are bought and paid for with Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus told all those he called to follow him. But what does this mean? How does a Christian live these principles out? How does a Christian follow Jesus?
One theologian, George Eldon Ladd, in discussing Paul’s theology, refers to the tension between the indicative and the imperative. What does he mean by that? Ladd used these two grammatical terms, “indicative” and “imperative” to describe the Christian life. Grammatically they refer to what are called “moods” or types of speech. When speaking in the indicative (mood), a person is giving factual information. The sky is blue; that apple is red. However, when speaking in the imperative (mood), we are referring to what should happen, often in the form of commands. Stop running; do your homework; eat your vegetables. What Ladd means by the tension between the indicative and the imperative is the tension between what the New Testament says about the Christian, the indicative and how the Christian should live, the imperative. The indicative are statements of fact about the believer in and follower of Jesus. A believer is a new creation in Christ, the old has passed away, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Believers are a holy people (1 Corinthians 1:2, 30). Believers have been justified by God and have peace with Him (Romans 5:1). These are just a few examples of what Ladd says is the indicative. They are the present reality of all those who believe in Jesus and confess him as Lord.
However, because all these things are true, there are responsibilities to live according to what God has done for us. This is the imperative. Believers are to present themselves to God as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable, not conforming to the world (Romans 12:1-2). Believers are to cleanse themselves of everything that could defile them (2 Corinthians 7:1). They are to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). They are to bring every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Christians are to work out their salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). These are the Christian’s responsibility, the imperative, because of what Jesus had done for and in them.
To use Ladd’s terminology, the indicative and the imperative reflect a partnership between God and the believer. Through Jesus, God has accomplished certain truths for the Christian. In response the Christian has a responsibility to live according to those truths.
Throughout the New Testament, Paul does two things. He describes who the Christian is, the indicative, and how the Christian is to live because of who he is, the imperative. Since we have been given such a great gift, we have the responsibility to use that gift well. Paul at times refers to eternal life we have been given as an inheritance. One who receives an inheritance from a loved one should use that inheritance wisely, because his love for that person governs how he will administer that inherited gift. Jesus tells us that love is the foundation of God’s law. It is love for our savior which motivates us to live in a certain manner which gives honor and glory to Jesus and to God. When we receive a promotion at work, certain benefits are given: a new job title, a raise in pay, however there are also increased responsibilities, we are expected to do, because of the position we now hold. The Christian life is similar to receiving a promotion from God. He declares new things about us and gives us new responsibilities in order to fulfill our promotion.
Throughout the history of the Christian Church multitudes have lived extraordinary lives out of dedication to live out what Jesus has done for them. It is not fear of punishment that motivated them or now motivates us, but it is love and gratitude for what Jesus has done and the position to which he has elevated us. Paul reminds us that every believer is seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). The question remains, how will we live out the responsibilities of having received such a high and privileged position?
