The Active Obedience of Christ - Part 1

Jul 28, 2024

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The Active Obedience of Christ - Part 1

Introduction

  • Active Obedience of Christ (AOOC): Jesus lived in perfect obedience to God's will and law, not just to qualify as the sacrifice for our sins, but also to credit his perfect obedience to our moral account before God.
  • Context: Emphasis on understanding this doctrine thoroughly; lectures will span at least two weeks, likely three.
  • Material Review: Encouraged to review material weekly and ensure comprehension.

Importance of the Doctrine

  1. Foundation on Scripture: The scripture discussed should be familiar; emphasis on deep understanding for communication to others.
  2. Risk of Confusion: Misunderstanding could lead to belief in a false gospel.
  3. Blessing: Prayer for understanding and safeguarding against confusion.

Core Beliefs

  • AOOC Believers' View: Jesus lived in perfect obedience to not only qualify as a sacrifice but for his obedience to be imputed to us as necessary for salvation.
  • Contrast with Passive Obedience: Passive obedience relates to Jesus’ sacrificial death, whereas active obedience pertains to his life of law-keeping.
  • Imputation: His perfect obedience is credited to believers' accounts.
  • Scriptural Basis and Perspective: Lup 10:25-28, Matthew 5:48 discussed, indicating God's requirement for perfection.

Modern Proponents

  • Theologians and Pastors: Wayne Grudem, John MacArthur, RC Sproul, Phil Johnson, R Scott Clark, Pat Abendroth.

Why Understanding This Doctrine is Crucial

  1. False Teaching: The AOOC is classified as false teaching not supported by the Bible.
  2. Essential to Faith Alone Gospel: AOOC is a linchpin to the faith alone gospel; justification by faith alone requires both forgiveness (passive obedience) and imputed obedience (active obedience) of Christ.
  3. Exposing Fallacies: Refuting AOOC helps expose the fallacies of the faith alone gospel.

Key Fables Supporting Faith Alone Gospel

  1. Salvation is Works-Based
    • Heaven requires perfect obedience, achievable only through Jesus.
    • Luke 10:25-28, Matthew 5:48 used to justify this view.
  2. Existence of a Covenant of Works
    • A covenant made with Adam, foundational for all salvation covenants; defined by perfect obedience.
  3. Neutrality to Righteousness through Merit
    • Humans were created in a state of neutrality; need Christ's righteousness imputed.

Biblical Refutations

Luke 10:25-28

  • Context: Jesus speaks to a Jewish lawyer already in covenant with God; discussion about maintaining covenant status, not earning it (Exodus 19, Leviticus 18:5).
  • Misinterpretation: Evangelicals misread Luke 10 as requiring perfection for salvation.

Matthew 5:48

  • Context: Calls for completeness in love, not moral perfection; Jesus says love should be all-encompassing, much like God’s (context of Matthew 5:43-47).

Covenant of Works

  • No Scriptural Evidence: Explicit/implicit scriptural basis for a covenant of works doesn’t exist.
  • Genesis 2:17 Inverse Argument: If the covenant of works was true, Christians wouldn't die.

Neutrality and Positive Righteousness

  • Creation in Righteousness: Adam and Eve were created morally righteous, not neutral (Genesis 1:31).
  • Pelagianism: The idea of neutrality returning to righteousness aligns with Pelagian heresy.
  • Immediate Transformation: Upon acceptance, believers move from sin to righteousness, without intermediary neutrality.

Conclusion

  • Understanding and Refutation: Essential for countering the faith alone gospel's falsehoods.
  • Call to Study and Equip: Emphasis on reviewing and understanding the material to communicate and uphold true gospel teachings.