Ethics

This week I will be interviewed by local college students on ethics. I consider being asked to do this as a privilege and an opportunity to help shape the future of our country and possibly, our world. We should all be prepared to be interviewed about ethics and be able to explain to others ethical behavior.  More importantly, we should be living a life full of good morals and ethical behavior that we are recognized for. Certainly, people are not going to ask for your advice or help if they perceive you are a hypocrite or wavering on any of the ethics you profess, especially when you claim to be a Christian. That behavior is expected of you!

The dictionary defines ethics as a set of moral principles. Ethics: a set of moral principles, especially ones relating to or affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct. Christian ethics require us to act, react, and behave in a very specific (good and what is considered universally right) manner.

In the military, we always define ethics as “doing the right thing even when no one is watching.” Ethics is attached to morals. To me, morals are something more internal. They are how you feel and behave regardless of external rules or Christian expectations. We should know the difference between right and wrong – good and bad. Acting morally means we choose to support causes, activists, and groups that do GOOD and encourage the RIGHT behavior. We treat others with love, consideration, and care even when we are surrounded by people who do not.

Within every group you can find immoral and unethical people, but in general, certain groups are associated with morality. Personal ethics means that you automatically behave in a way that does good for society and you treat each other with consideration, kindness, and courtesy. Christian ethics are those expected by God and become natural and normal behavior in those in whom Jesus and the Holy Spirit reside.

Although I have led a “mostly” ethical life, there have certainly been times when my morals were questionable. I have made a concerted effort to “fix” those situations and apologize to anyone I have hurt. Fortunately, the closer I have gotten to God, the more humanity and morality I have gained. Even if I wanted to act unethically or immorally, I just couldn’t. God is so imbedded inside of me that I always consider His expectations first. It would be painful for me to treat others badly or pursue gains that benefit me but hurt others. I am unable to do it. I pray you are at the same place in your Christian walk because it is quite freeing. Decisions are easy. Life is simple.

The Bible is full of ethics and morals. Again, ethics come from an external source (in this case The Bible) and morals are internal decisions based on those ethical principles. Here are a few scripture verses that lead us to the high road:

• Proverbs 2:7: "He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity."
• Matthew 5:16: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
• James 2:17: "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
• Romans 13:8-10: "Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

The Ten Commandments (11 when you count John 13:34-35 where Jesus commands us to love each other as He loves us – unconditionally)

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall make no idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy. (Worship and rest on the 7^th day of each week)
5. Honor your father and your mother. (Listen to the wisdom of older, more experienced people)
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10.  You shall not covet. (Do not desire or take what others have)

Ethics is not a difficult subject to describe, but it is definitely more challenging to live an ethical and moral life. If we follow the original ten commandments and then add in “love each other unconditionally” as Jesus loves us, then it is likely we will live the righteous life God expects from us.

Romans 13:13 covers some of the other earthly temptations and tells us we are NOT to do these things: “Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.”

Understanding the expectations of God is the first step in following them. It is best if we allow His directives and expectations to deliver us from evil and keep us on the road to eternal life with Him. In this day and age, I would be remiss not to specifically mention abortion as murder and sexual deviants as immoral. It is not right to have sex with children, nor hurt them or mistreat them. The same is true for animals.

God gave us dominion over all the things on earth not to abuse the privilege, but to cherish the responsibility with the intention of caring for all He has given us. That includes the earth and ALL LIVING THINGS. Living an ethical life does not mean just doing the right thing when no one is watching, but doing it because you KNOW right from wrong. Live responsibly, caring for EVERYTHING God has given to you, and do not let pride or an attitude of selfishness infect your life. You will be judged by your actions, by people, and by God. DO RIGHT. Do it RIGHT NOW and do it with gratitude and happiness. Amen. ><> Blessings, Lisa

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