Brad Alles

This month’s blogs focus on ethics.  The Bible teaches moral absolutes: there are certain things either right or wrong that God has declared.  These standards, or norms, of right and wrong, are grounded in God’s holy character.  He is holy, so he expects holy behavior out of His creation.

How do you know that’s true?  In Deuteronomy 32:4, it says, “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

Even people who don’t have the Bible know that there are certain behaviors that are wrong or unacceptable.  Paul says that Gentiles (non-Jews), who don’t have the Old Testament scriptures, instinctively follow a code of behavior in Romans 2:14-15.

It says, “Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.”

So how do you know that there are moral absolutes?  Paul says you see this universal agreement that specific actions are recognized as right or wrong, regardless of the fact that people have the Bible or not.  For example, what culture condones stealing or raping?  Even if people have never been exposed to the teachings of God in the Bible, they have this code of ethics that they follow.  Why is this?  Paul’s argument is that the law of God is written in their heart.

The good news is this: even as we cannot measure up to God’s standard of perfection, He is merciful.  Because of Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death, we can be made holy by grace through faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.