UNIT THREE-CHRISTIAN ETHICS Lesson One: Definition and Significance of Christian Ethics Colossians three:one-six:
UNIT THREE-CHRISTIAN ETHICS Lesson One: Definition and Significance of Christian Ethics Colossians three:one-six:
"Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming."
A. What is Christian ethics?
A. What is Christian ethics?
One. Christian ethics is a method of determining right and wrong based on the understanding and interpretation of the Christian message. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ are the heart of the Christian message. Right and wrong in this aspect are determined by the life and teachings of Christ. To understand what we should do or avoid in life, as well as to know what we should believe, we must consult the life and teachings of Christ.
Two. Christian ethics is a set of principles derived from the Christian faith by which we act. The Bible gives us detailed instructions on how we should live. While God's word may not cover every situation in our lives, its principles give us the standards by which we must conduct ourselves. For example, the Bible does not explicitly say anything about the use of illegal drugs, yet based on the principles we learn in the Bible, we can know that it is wrong. For one, the Bible tells us that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that we should honor God with it. So, by using the principles in the Scripture, Christians can already determine what is proper for them to do in a given situation.
Three. Christian ethics is a systematic study of the way of life exemplified and taught by Jesus, applied to problems and decisions of human existence. The way of life is expressed in what we say, live, and practice. It is also synonymous with our lifestyle or day-to-day living. The Gospels reflect Jesus' way of life. It tells not only what He does and says but also what early Christians believed about Him. The way of life exemplified by Jesus is an adequate, dependable, and indispensable guide for Christians in their actions as well as in their decisions in life.