Lesson. 5 also to the Greek.

For the righteousness of

The Basis of Ethics as Revealed in the Scriptures God is revealed in the gospel from faith to
faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by
Some Characteristics of Biblical Ethics.We close by faith will live .”
highlighting six features of biblical ethics.  (Rom. 5:5; And hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God * has been poured
First, biblical ethics is covenantal or communal. It out * in our hearts through the Holy Spirit
exists for the people of God. who was given to us.
While all people are morally accountable to God, the  2 Corinthians . 5:14; Gal. 2:14; 3:3).
Bible teaches that the ethical life portrayed in Scripture
is intended especially for those who are in covenant
relationship with God. Third, biblical ethics is transformational.
The ethical life described in the Bible is one that is
The Sermon on the Mount, for example, reveals energized by something more profound than mere
this (Matt. 5:1–2). behavior conformity. Rather, biblical ethics stems from
Likewise, the love ethic, the cornerstone of the New the inner life, what the Bible calls the heart.
Testament’s moral teaching,
is placed squarely on the shoulders of believers. It is an ethic generated by a law written on the heart
(Jer. 31:31–33) and the animating impulses of the
John 13:34–35. I give you a new commandment – to indwelling and sanctifying Spirit (Rom. 5:5; Gal.
love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are 5:22–25).
to love one another. 35. Everyone will know by this
that you are my disciples – if you have love for one This is fundamentally an internal rather than external
another.” ethic (Matt. 5:27–28; 6:1;
15:18–20). It goes beyond mere conformity to a
1 Pet. 4:8. Above all keep your love for one another written code (Matt. 23:25–28;
fervent, *because love covers a multitude of sins . 2 Cor. 3:6).
Heb. 13:1. Brotherly love must continue. Fourth, the ethics of the Bible is countercultural. It is
“against the grain.”
Second, biblical ethics is grace-motivated. “We love Whereas the surrounding culture conducts its life
because he first loved us” largely in ways that result from the fall, those who are
(1 John 4:19) is the consistent rhythm of the Bible. in a covenant relationship with God are called upon to
conduct their lives according to the new identity that
What God has done for us, supremely manifested in flows from that gracious relationship.
Christ, is the foundation for what we then do for God. (Ex. 19:5; 1 Pet. 2:9–12).
God’s acceptance of us as his children results in ethical
living; ethical living does not result in God’s This does not mean rejection of existing cultural values
acceptance of us. but radical assessment and, if necessary, replacement
of those values in light of the kingdom into which
Throughout the Bible, upright living does not lie believers have been drawn by God’s grace (Rom.
essentially in believers’ exertion of willpower but in 12:1–2).
the spiritual and moral transformation brought about in
them by the gospel and the ongoing work of the Spirit Jesus demonstrates this principle in his teaching on
in their lives. loving one’s enemies
(Matt. 5:43–44),
 (1 Cor. 6:9–11; Do you not know that the on materialism (Matt. 6:19–24),
unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of and on non-retaliation (Matt. 5:38–42).
God? Do not be deceived! The sexually
immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive Paul also follows this countercultural principle in his
homosexual partners, *practicing teaching on sexual purity
homosexuals, * thieves, the greedy, (1 Cor. 6:12–20; Col. 3:5–6),
drunkards, the verbally abusive, * and the equality of people before God (Gal. 3:28–29; Col.
swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of 3:11),
God. Some of you once lived this way. * and concern for others (Phil. 2:1–3).
But you were washed, you were sanctified,
you were justified in the name of the Lord Fifth, biblical ethics has an integrative character.
Jesus Christ *and by the Spirit of our God. Reaching into every corner of human living, the
 Rom. 1:16–17) For I am not ashamed of the system of ethics taught in the Bible touches belief and
gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to conduct (Rom. 12:1ff.; Eph. 4:17–24),
everyone who believes, to the Jew first and private behavior and public morality (James 1:27),
personal piety and communal justice (Jer. 7:1–11; Mic.
6:6–8). In 2 Tim 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed
and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting
This characteristic is due to the saving framework in and training in righteousness, v17, so that the man
which believers now live—they have been given a of God may be thoroughly equipped for every
wholly new identity (Romans 6; 1 Pet. 2:9–10).
good work.”
Their ethical life therefore cannot be set off from other
aspects of living.

Finally, there is a sixth element of biblical ethics:  Jesus, himself, affirmed the fullness and
its eschatological character. Biblically, ethics is completeness of his authority, prior to his
shaped and motivated by what God has done in Christ ascension.
and what he promises to do in the future.  Jesus laid the spiritual foundation for
appropriate ethical and moral behavior in the
The new age longed for in the Old Testament has beatitudes in Matt 5:3-12.
dawned in Jesus, but it has not yet been brought to full
completion.
The ethical and moral standards of behavior
Biblical ethics, then, is really an interim ethics: follow in Matt 5-7.
It is for those who live between the times (Titus 2:11–
14; 2 Pet. 3:13–14).

Followers of Christ pursue holiness by looking back Matthew records in Matt 28:18-20:
and by looking forward. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority
We look back to what God has done, sending his Son, in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19
uniting us to Christ, and placing his Spirit within us. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
And we look forward to what God will do, as Christ baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
returns a second time to execute justice and finally
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching
redeem his people from all sin and suffering.
them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Lesson 6 Words like all, in heaven and on earth, and obey
everything leave no room for latter day religions
The Unchanging Ethics and Morality of to water down the morality and ethics commanded
Jesus by Jesus or add new and different teachings and
interpretations.
 The ethical and moral system authored by
Jesus, the Christ by the will of Gods the Father, The Unchanging Ethics and Morality of Jesus
never changes in concept and duration.
 No religion , convention, council, nor any Matt 7:24-27:
other body of men can change or alter it. 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of
mine and puts them into practice is like a wise
 The ethics and morality of Jesus are man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain
not situational, to be changed to suit the times came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew
or situation. and beat against that house; yet it did not fall,
 Jesus and the apostles and prophets all because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But
affirmed the unchanging nature of the Gospel everyone who hears these words of mine and does
law of faith and practice. not put them into practice is like a foolish man
who built his house on sand.
27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the
In Jude 3-4, Jude summarized the unchanging winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell
nature of the faith: with a great crash."

 “I felt I had to write and urge you to These commands extend the law of
contend for the faith that was once for all commandments given to Moses to a new level—a
entrusted to the saints.” About this faith once spiritual one—controlling even
for all delivered, Jude spoke of completeness the lusts and thoughts that generate from
and all-sufficiency. the spirit, mind, and body.
 miles. v42 Give to the one who asks you, and do
These moral and ethical behaviors are so explicit not turn away from the one who wants to
that we must consider them unequivocal in nature. borrow from you.” Matt 5:38-42.
6. Love your enemies and do good to those who
All of which were taken from Matt 5-7. persecute you: “v43 You have heard that it was
We must be like the wise man: we must hear the said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
words of Jesus and do them. v44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, v45 that you may
1. Do not murder or hate: “v21 You have heard be sons of your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:43-
that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not 45.
murder, and anyone who murders will be subject 7. Do not be self-righteous: “v16 When you fast,
to judgment.' v22, But I tell you that anyone do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for
who is angry with his brother will be subject to they disfigure their faces to show men they are
judgment. Again, anyone who says to his fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received
brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. their reward in full. v17 But when you fast, put
But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in oil on your head and wash your face, v18 so that
anger of the fire of hell.” Matt 5:21-22. it will not be obvious to men that you are
2. Do not commit adultery or lust after another fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen;
person: “ v27 You have heard that it was said, and your Father, who sees what is done in
'Do not commit adultery.’ v28 But I tell you that secret, will reward you.” Matt 6:16-18.
anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has 8. Pray for forgiveness and forgive others: “v14
already committed adultery with her in his heart. For if you forgive men when they sin against
v29, If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose v15 But if you do not forgive men their sins,
one part of your body than for your whole body your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matt
to be thrown into hell.” Matt 5:27-29. 6:14-15.
3. Do not divorce except for marital 9. Do not serve Money: “v24 No one can serve
unfaithfulness: “v31 "It has been said, 'Anyone two masters. Either he will hate the one and love
who divorces his wife must give her a certificate the other, or he will be devoted to the one and
of divorce.’ v32 But I tell you that anyone who despise the other. You cannot serve both God
divorces his wife, except for marital and Money.” Matt 6:24.
unfaithfulness, causes her to become an 10. Do not be hypocritical: “:v1 Do not judge, or
adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced you too will be judged.
woman commits adultery.” Matt 5:31-32.
4. Speak the truth and do not curse or "v2 For in the same way you judge others, you
swear: “v33 Again, you have heard that it was will be judged, and with the
said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the “v3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in
Lord.' v34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: your brother's eye and pay no attention to the
either by heaven, for it is God's throne; v35 or plank in your own eye?
by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by "v4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take
Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there
v36 And do not swear by your head, for you is a plank in your own eye? "v5 You hypocrite,
cannot make even one hair white or black. v37 first take the plank out of your own eye, and then
Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' you will see clearly to remove the speck from
'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil your brother's eye.” Matt 7:1-5.
one.” Matt 5:33-37.
5. Do not retaliate or seek retribution: “v38 You 11. Watch out for false prophets and false
have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and teachers: “v15 Watch out for false prophets.
tooth for tooth.' v39 But I tell you, Do not resist They come to you in sheep's clothing, but
an evil person. If someone strikes you on the inwardly they are ferocious wolves. "v16 By
right cheek, turn to him the other also. v40 And their fruit you will recognize them. Do people
if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from
let him have your cloak as well. v41 If someone thistles? "v17 Likewise every good tree bears
forces you to go one mile, go with him two good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "v18 A
 good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree 5. Matt 5:21-22: Who is now subject to the
cannot bear good fruit. "v19 Every tree that does judgment?
not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into 6. Matt 5:27-29: When has a man committed
the fire. "v20 Thus, by their fruit you will adultery in his heart?
recognize them.” “v21 Not everyone who says 7. Matt 5:31-32: What is the only reason for
to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of divorce?
heaven, but only he who does the will of my 8. Matt 5:33-37: By what may we swear? Instead
Father who is in heaven. "v22 Many will say to of swearing, what are we to say?
me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not 9. Matt 5:38-42: How are we to respond to an evil
prophesy in your name, and in your name drive person?
out demons and perform many miracles?' "v23 10. Matt 5:43-45: How are we to treat our
Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. enemies? If we do these things, whose sons are
Away from me, you evildoers!" Matt 7:15-23. we?
11. Matt 6:16-18: Why should our praying and
The Right of Jesus to Command: Matt 7:28-29: fasting not be before men? Who rewards us for
secret deeds?
"v28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, 12. Matt 6:14-15: What will be the result if we do
the crowds were amazed at his teaching, "v29 not forgive others?13. Matt 6:24: Why can we not
because he taught as one who had authority, and serve two masters?14. Matt 7:1-5: Why should we
not as their teachers of the law. not judge others?15. Matt 7:15-23: For whom
should we watch out? How can we know false
prophets? 16. Matt 7:28-29: Why were the crowds
 The crowd recognized Jesus as one who amazed?
had authority.

 Authority is the right of one whose

commands must be obeyed.

 We must obey the moral and ethical

commands of Jesus;

"They are permanent and unchanging; we
must hear them and do them."

Conclusion

 The ethics and morals of Jesus are for all

times.
 In the 21st century, true Christians will
obey them as the Lord gave them.
 Contemporaries never have the right to
change or adjust the ethics and morality of
Jesus to suit the times or to justify their own
indiscretions.

Study Questions from the Scriptures

1. Jude 3-4: For what are we to contend? How
often was the faith entrusted to the saints?
2. 2 Tim 3:16-17: Which scriptures are God
breathed? How is the man of God equipped?
3. Matt 28:18-20: How much authority did Jesus
receive? What must disciples obey?4. Matt 7:24-
27: Who is like the wise man? Who is like the
foolish man?