The Rule of Grace and the Call of Christ

Indicatives and Imperatives in the New Covenant

Moe Bergeron

One of the truths of the New Covenant is that we, as saints, are not under the rule of Sinai’s Law. Christ, in His perfect fulfillment of the Law, has liberated us from its yoke (Romans 7:6). We now live under the rule of grace (Romans 6:14). Yet, this truth does not imply that believers in Christ are without direction or command. The New Covenant, established by Christ’s blood, comes with its own indicatives and imperatives—statements of who we are in Christ and commands of how we are to live as His people.

Free From the Rule of Sinai’s Law

Under the Old Covenant, Israel was bound to the Law given at Sinai, a covenant of commands that laid out the path of righteousness. But the Law, while good and holy, exposed sin and could not save (Romans 3:20). It functioned as a tutor, pointing to the need for Christ (Galatians 3:24-25). When Christ came, He fulfilled the Law’s demands perfectly and established the New Covenant through His life, death, and resurrection (Matthew 5:17). In Him, we are set free, for Christ is our righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Rule of Grace

The New Covenant is not a system of law-keeping but a relationship rooted in grace. The Apostle Paul emphatically declares, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). Grace reigns through righteousness in Christ (Romans 5:21). This grace does not lead to lawlessness but to a life transformed by the Spirit of God. Our acceptance before God is not based on our performance but on Christ’s perfect work.

Indicatives: Who We Are in Christ

Though we are free from the Law, we are not left without guidance. The New Testament is filled with indicatives—truths that tell us who we are in Christ. These indicatives are foundational because they establish our identity before God. For example, the apostle Paul often begins his letters by affirming the believers’ identity in Christ before giving any commands:

• We are justified by faith (Romans 5:1).

• We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

• We are dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11).

• We are children of God, heirs through Christ (Galatians 4:7).

These indicatives remind us that our new life is the result of God’s work in Christ, not our efforts. They assure us of our secure position in Him.

Imperatives: How We Are to Live

However, the New Covenant life is not passive. God’s grace not only saves us but also teaches us to live godly lives (Titus 2:11-12). The imperatives of the New Covenant flow from the indicatives. Because of who we are in Christ, we are called to live in a manner worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1).

The New Covenant contains many commands, not as a means of earning God’s favor but as expressions of the life we now have in Christ. Some of these imperatives include:

• Love one another as Christ has loved us (John 13:34).

• Walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

• Put to death what is earthly in us (Colossians 3:5).

• Be holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1:15).

These commands are given to guide us in the new life we have received through Christ. They reflect the character of God and the transformation He is working in us by His Spirit.

Grace and Obedience: A Harmonious Relationship

The grace of God, rightly understood, does not nullify obedience but empowers it. The Gospel gives us new desires and the strength to follow Christ. We obey, not to become God’s children, but because we are His children. Our obedience is the fruit of our union with Christ, the evidence that His life is at work within us (John 15:5).

In Christ, grace and truth meet (John 1:17). The same Savior who says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden" (Matthew 11:28) also says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Grace does not erase the call to holiness; it enables it. This is why Paul can write both, “By grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:8), and “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), for “it is God who works in you” (Philippians 2:13).

Conclusion: A Life Transformed by Grace

As New Covenant saints, we are free from the rule of Sinai’s Law, but we are not without indicatives and imperatives. The grace of God teaches us to live lives that reflect the Gospel we proclaim. Our lives are not governed by external laws but by the indwelling Spirit, who empowers us to live in obedience to Christ. 

In Christ, we have both the freedom of grace and the call to follow Him in holiness. Let us walk in the freedom of the Gospel, knowing that we are new creations, and live in the light of the glorious grace that has been given to us.

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