Ethical Christian = Biblical Christian Essay Example

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Everybody has their own idea of what a “good” or ethical Christian should look like. Every Christian has their own opinion on this. Every Pastor, the world, Society, even I have my own. However, the only way we can truly know what an ethical and moral Christian looks like is if we look at the Bible, at who Jesus was and how he acted, and what God says about it. Only God knows what a truly ethical Christian looks like. Today I am arguing that the qualities of an ethical and moral Christian are only those found in Scripture. 

Before I jump into my arguments I would like to define a word that we will hear multiple times in this presentation. That word is ethical, which means pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct. Other words for ethical are moral or honorable, so I will be using these as well. 

Firstly, an Ethical Christian is one who listens and obeys the Bible and its teachings and commands. The Bible says many things about how to treat others, how to go about our lives, trusting God, what is right or wrong and much more. I think that many times nowadays we see people twisting scripture and distorting the meanings of many verses. John 8:47 says, “Whoever belongs to God hears what he says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”  I have mentioned this verse mostly because of the first part which says, “Whoever belongs to God hears what he says.”  Much of what God says is in the Bible, so we must make sure that we listen to the Bible. Another verse I would like to mention on this subject is Proverbs 2:1-6 which says, “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” God and the Bible are full of wisdom that can help us live our lives as ethical Christians. 

Another quality an ethical christian should possess is the ability to love others. John 13:34-35 says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Romans 13:8-10 says “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The Commandments, “You shall not commit adultery”, “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.” The Bible even says to love your enemies. Enemy could mean people you don't get along with, people who have hurt you, or people who do not treat you right. As humans sometimes we may desire to treat these sorts of people the same way they have treated us, however, the Bible says that we must love them. “You have heard that it was said, love your neighbor and hate your enemies. But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44. Sometimes it's hard to know how to love others, but the Bible tells us about this in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes always perseveres. Love never fails.”

An ethical Christian tries their best to contain all the fruits of the spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 says, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Of course, we will not always be joyful and there will be times where maybe we are not very patient and so on. However, we should try our best to contain all of these qualities like Jesus did. We are not perfect but as long as you do your very best then that is enough. 

Christians should always try to resist temptation and the devil. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to Mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Temptation is normal, it is one of the most common ways the Devil tries to distract you from God. Even Jesus was tempted, but he did not give into his Temptations and so we must not either. Hebrews 2:18 says, “Because he himself (meaning Jesus) suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”  we must also resist the devil for all temptation comes from him. John 10:10 says, “The thief only comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest.” All evil things come from the devil, but only good things come from God. James 3:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."