Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson Gospel Indicatives and Imperatives
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Sep 30, 2025 Sinclair Ferguson dives into the essential relationship between the gospel's indicatives—God's actions in Christ—and imperatives—our responses. He highlights the danger of reversing this order, showing how some misinterpret indicatives as commands. Exploring 2 Corinthians 5, he illustrates how reconciliation informs our calling. The discussion emphasizes the Holy Spirit's role in comprehending this 'gospel grammar' and warns believers against reverting to performance-based acceptance. Ultimately, resting in God's truth empowers obedience.
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Indicatives Are The Gospel's Foundation
- Indicatives state facts about God's actions and imperatives issue commands in response to those facts.
- Sinclair B. Ferguson explains that in gospel grammar the indicatives always form the basis for imperatives.
Biblical Example: 2 Corinthians 5
- Paul connects God's action in Christ with our call to respond when he writes, "In Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself."
- Sinclair uses 2 Corinthians 5 to show indicatives lead to imperatives: therefore, be reconciled to God.
Common Error: Reversing The Order
- Natural people reverse gospel grammar by thinking good deeds will make God accept them.
- Sinclair warns that salvation works the opposite way: God's acceptance comes first, then the call to respond.
