1. The imperatives continue and that also means the indicatives also come together with them, because no imperative in the context of salvation is given "naked". And that means an imperative or command always flows from an indicative. And indicative indicating one's status before God which is wholly by grace alone through Christ alone.
2. But the imperatives are there. The Lord gave them because they are important to the conduct of His body, the church. And these imperatives flow from Him. He is the standard from which commands are given to the redeemed.
3. And so, the redeemed are called to be imitators of God, because they are beloved children. See that commands are given to those who hold the title of children already. Thus, commands are not given to cause one to be a child of God, but because they are one (by election and redemption and free imputation of righteousness).
4. To be an imitator of God does not mean we are able in this sinful state to be like Him. That is impossible. It means to have God as our example, but to emulate Him at our level. So, Christ and His sacrifice for our salvation becomes the definition of what God means by love and believers ought to understand love that way. They are to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others, especially believers and that principle is what pleases God. God is pleased not by our perfection, which we have none, but in our appreciation of the principle. That and more and it is free!
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