This lesson is part of a monthly bible study. Our goal is to deepen spiritual understanding and encourage the thoughtful exploration of Christian principles. It is our hope that these studies will serve not only to inform, but to inspire reflection and meaningful dialogue among readers interested in living out their faith with intention. Each lesson will draw from scriptural sources and practical perspectives, guiding us toward a richer understanding of biblical truths and their relevance in daily life.
Scriptures for background support:
- Set Your Affections on Things Above Colossians 3:1-6
- You Are God’s 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- The Comforter Will Remind You John 14:26
- Don’t Live In Sin Any Longer Romans 6:1-2
- Be Transformed, Not Conformed Romans 12:1-2
- The Two Great Commandments Matthew 22:37-40
- Look Up, Not Down Colossians 3:1-6
Lesson Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11
INTRODUCTION
Modern culture, no longer held together by a common world view, is in the midst of an ethical crisis. Today there is only a faint memory of biblical norms. Modern philosophies have made it their goal to critique and replace traditional values based on the Judeo-Christian world view. Moral values, say the humanists, are not based on the revelation of a deity but are the product of human experience.
Secular man's values have changed . Any claim to ultimate or final significance is removed. They are no longer the direct expression of the divine will. Today’s values have become what certain people at a particular time and place hold to be good.
Question: What is Christian ethics?
Answer: Read Colossians 3:1-6
While more than just a list of “do’s” and “don’ts,” the Bible does give us detailed instructions on how to live as a Christian. However, the Bible does not explicitly cover every single situation we will face in our lives. How then is it sufficient? That is where Christian Ethics comes in.
Science defines ethics as, “a set of moral principles; the study of morality.” Therefore, Christian Ethics would be the principles, derived from the Christian faith, by which we act. While God’s Word may not cover each situation we face throughout our lives, its principles give us the standards by which we must carry ourselves in those situations where there are no explicit instructions.
For example, the Bible does not say anything explicitly on the use of illegal drugs, yet based on the principles we learn through scripture we can know that it is wrong. The Bible tells us that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that we should honor God with it (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Knowing what these drugs do to our body, the harm they cause to various organs, we know that by using them we would be destroying the temple of the Holy Spirit. That is certainly not honoring to God. The Bible also tells us that we are to follow the authorities that God Himself has put into place (Romans 13:1). Given the illegal nature of the drugs today, by using them, you are not submitting to the authorities, but rather, rebelling against them. Does this mean if illegal drugs were legalized it would be ok? Not without violating the first principle.
DETERMINING YOUR COURSE OF ACTION
By using the principles we find in Scripture, Christians can determine their course for any given situation. In some cases, it will be simple, like the “Rules for Christian Living” we find in Colossians chapter 3. In other cases, however, we need to do a little digging. The absolute best way to do that, in this writer’s opinion is to pray over God’s Word. The Holy Spirit indwells in each and every believer, and part of his role is teaching us how to live: (Read John 14:26 and 1 John 2:27). So, when we pray over Scripture, the Spirit will guide us and teach us. He will show us the principle we need to stand on for any given situation.
While God’s Word does not cover each and every situation we will face in our lives, it is all sufficient for living a Christian life. For most things we can simply see what the Bible says and follow the proper course based on that. In cases where Scripture does not give explicit instructions for a given situation, we need to look for the principle behind it. Again, in some of those cases it will be easy. Most of the principles Christians follow are sufficient for most situations. In the rare case, where there is neither explicit scripture, nor seemingly clear principle, we need to rely on God. We must pray over His Word and open ourselves to His Spirit. The Spirit will teach us and guide us through the Bible to find the principle we need to stand on so we may walk and live as a Christian should. (Read Jeremiah 6:16) This, then, is a word about choosing to walk in “the good way,” in the way where God leads, in “paths of righteousness.”
Virtues & Values: What in the World Happened to Them?
Note the following statements.
Most folks don’t really believe anything anymore.
Our world seems determined to try to live life without discipline, enjoy plenty without work, experience pleasure without pay, wallow in adultery without love, commit crime without punishment, revel in sin without judgment, break out all the windows in order to breathe, and play tennis with the net down.
Our world does not believe you have to reap what you sow, that you must “dance with who you bring.”
Question: Review the statements above in relation to your own life. Do any of these statements apply to your view of life?
Multitudes in our country and in our churches have become almost totally alienated from any moral standards, almost completely uprooted from any ethical soil in which to put down steadying and sustaining roots, and almost utterly without any substantive commitment to reject wrong and to choose right.
What happened? Most of the important institutions in society have tended to focus almost all of their attention on reason rather than revelation, on things instead of persons, on the material rather than the spiritual, on the body rather than the soul, on the brain rather than the mind, on instant pleasures rather than peace that passes understanding, on present gratification rather than future fulfillment, on spendable cash on earth rather than immeasurable treasure laid up in heaven, on time rather than eternity.
Obey Moral Laws?
Question: What is antinomianism? Look it up in a Bible Dictionary.
Answer: The word antinomianism comes from two Greek words, “anti” meaning against and “nomos” meaning law. Antinomianism means “against the law.” Theologically, antinomianism is the belief that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey. Antinomianism takes a Biblical teaching to an unbiblical conclusion. The Biblical teaching is that Christians are not required to observe the Old Testament Law. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He fulfilled the Old Testament Law (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:15). The unbiblical conclusion is that there is no moral law God expects Christians to obey.
The Apostle Paul dealt with the issue of antinomianism in Romans 6:1-2. The most frequent attack on the doctrine of salvation by grace alone is that it encourages sin. People wonder, “If I am saved by grace and all my sins are forgiven, why not sin all I want?” That is the opposite reaction God intends.
God’s desire is that we strive to not sin, out of gratitude for His grace and forgiveness. God has given us His infinitely gracious gift in salvation through Jesus (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). Our response is to be a life consecrated to Him (Romans 12:1-2) out of love, worship, and gratitude for what He has done for us. Antinomianism is unbiblical in that it misapplies the meaning of God’s gracious favor.
A second reason that antinomianism is unbiblical is that there is a moral law God expects us to obey.
Read 1 John 5:3. What is this law God expects us to obey?
It is the law of Christ (Matthew 22:37-40). No, we are not under the Old Testament Law. Yes, we are under the law of Christ. The law of Christ is not an extensive list of legal codes. It is a law of love. If we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength we will do nothing to displease Him. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, we will do nothing to harm them. Obeying the law of Christ is not a requirement to earn or maintain salvation. The law of Christ is what God expects of a Christian.
Antinomianism is contrary to everything the Bible teaches. God expects us to live a life of morality, integrity, and love. Jesus Christ freed us from the burdensome commands of the Old Testament Law. That is not a license to sin, but rather a covenant of grace. We are to strive to overcome sin and cultivate righteousness. The fact that we are graciously freed from the demands of the Old Testament Law should result in us living our lives in obedience to the law of Christ. Note 1 John 2:3-6.
Our crisis today is not one of immorality, but of amorality. If immorality were the problem, there would still be a standard left by which to judge an action. Amorality knows no universally applicable standard. The worst problem for the world is not inflation or unemployment, racism, or communism, the Russians or the Americans. The worst problem is a whole generation of young people without values!"
Because of the present moral crisis, one does not have to be a prophet to be able to predict that Western civilization can only go in one or two directions. It can either return to the Biblical ethic which made the West the great civilization it was, or it can move toward the tyranny of totalitarianism. Since we have already departed from our roots and are moving toward the latter, it has been said, "The only thing that saves us while we are in this transition is fear." What prevents a person today from committing a crime? Not a strong sense of right or wrong, but a fear of getting caught!”
The Purpose of This Study on Ethics
The purpose of this study is to see how God wants men to relate to Himself, his fellow men, and nature.
Ethics is not just about issues of right and wrong; it is also about the kind of people we ought to be. We ought to be the kind of person who, for one, think issues of right and wrong really matter, who love the right and hate the wrong, and who can be counted on to do the right thing under pressure. Now, that is the character issue: whether we are committed to the right to such an extent that we think the right exists and we want to do it. The kind of person that we are has very much to do with ethics. Ethics is about the content of our character as well as the rules of right and wrong. And when we talk about people and character, we use the dichotomy of virtue and vice. That is standard terminology. Virtue is the branch of ethics that deals with moral agents and their motivations. Rules deal with actions and of course the attitude that lies behind those actions whereas virtue deals with people in terms of these character issues and motivations.