Introduction. The phrase 'active obedience' is a theological term which refers to the life of Christ as distinguished in Reformation theology from the 'passive obedience' which refers to Christ's obedience unto death (Phil. 5), the good news that Christ's death has paid for our sins. Although the apostles doubtless saw Christ's righteousness as all of one seamless fabric (Rom. 1: 16-17; 3-5; Phil. 3: 8-9), a thrilling rediscovery of the Reformation was that Christ's righteous life fully met the positive demand of God's holy law and today stands in the place of the believer's sinful life in the estimation of God! "By the obedience of One shall many be constituted righteous" (Rom. 5: 19). What's more this justification is future (as well as past and present) but received by faith today: God's verdict in the final judgment on our behalf.

A few years ago, this truth dawned in glory on Larry Christoffel (a member of the Institute Forum) as on so many thirsting souls before. So sweet is the taste that he made a summary compendium of the thoughts of various reformers, theologians, and commentators on this glorious truth! We hope to share a summary of this with some accompanying thoughts soon.