E. Morality of the Bible

Jesus stated it this way when asked a question concerning God’s commandments.

“And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, {36} “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” {37} And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ {38} “This is the great and foremost commandment. {39} “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ {40} “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:35-40)

JESUS TEACHING

Jesus states that the entire old Testament law is based on two principles: love of God and love of neighbor. First, the love of God means honor for and obedience to God who gives life to all. Second, if man wishes to preserve that life he must subject himself to the one who is the architect of life. If the one who was given the gift of life wishes to enjoy that life together with others in a way that does not bring harm to self and others he must subject himself to the laws of the creator, laws given for his good and that of his neighbor. We conclude therefore that the basis of biblical morality is the preservation of the gift of life through obedience to God and His commandments.

Jesus however, calls for a much higher standard than outward conformity to the laws of God. Jesus called men to the highest level of righteousness and purity coming from the heart.

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ {22} “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court;……. {27} “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; {28} but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:21-28)

Furthermore, Jesus gives a new commandment to His followers directing them to love others as He had loved them. Jesus of course was referring to when He laid down His life at the cross of Calvary to meet our need to be redeemed from sin.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. {35} “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. {13} “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13)

Finally, in contrast to living life in pursuit of power and prestige for oneself, Jesus tells His followers that those who are truly great are those who, following His example, give of themselves in service to others.

But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. {26} “It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, {27} and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; {28} just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

BIBLICAL STANDARDS OF MORALITY

The following examples illustrate all the ways the Bible displays a high standard of morality so that all people can experience life as God intended.

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

1. A Persons Thoughts:

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

2. A Persons Words:

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH, EACH ONE of you, WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)

3. A Persons Attitude Towards Others:

“Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

“always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; {4} do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

4. A Persons Disposition of Heart:

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. {32} And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; {13} bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. {14} And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

5. Love of Neighbor:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34)

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOUWILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, {5} does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, {6} does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; {7} bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. {8} Love never fails; (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. {17} But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? {18} Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. (1 John 3:16-18)

6. Husbands and Wives:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; {26} that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, {27} that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. {28} So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; {29} for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, {30} because we are members of His body. (Ephesians 5:25-30)

7. Moral Purity:

But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; {4} and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. {5} For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. {6} Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:3-6)

This brief survey of the New Testament provides many illustrations of how it teaches a high level of morality. The basis of it all is love. This should be of no surprise if the source of it all is God, and God is love.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)