Rizal Technological University

College of Business and Entrepreneurial 1. Obedience to God's will

Technology Obedience to God is not only a way to
Department of Accountancy worship him, but a way to get closer to him,
prepare for whatever he leads you to and
grow as a person. Ultimately, we will feel
most satisfied when we are in right
GE08 Ethics relationship to God which can only come
through obedience.
Objectives:
2. Natural law
At the end of the lesson the students In accordance with the ethics and
are able to: philosophy notion known as "natural law,"
human beings have inherent values that
*Infer the significance of Christian guide their thoughts and behavior. As per
Ethics and how it aids us in seeing both the natural law, people naturally possess these
personal and social dimensions of the concepts of good and wrong; they were not
gospel; developed by society or legal authorities.
*Inculcate the ideologies of Christian
teachings in making decisions throughout 3. The imitation of God
human lives; Being an “imitator” of God means we must
*Appreciate the function of faith, imitate His “love.” After all, the Bible tells us
hope and love in our lives; and God is love. His very nature is defined by
*Recite the perceived understanding His love. Everything He does, He does it
of the relationships and commitments from out of love. As children of God, we are to
a Christian perspective. imitate and walk in that love.

---------------------------------------------------------- Moreover, the Ten Commandments and the

Topic: Jesus Christ as cornerstone of Sermon on the Mount have served as the
Christianity two main biblical focuses of Christian
ethical teaching.

“The Teachings of Jesus as Foundation Ten Commandments

of Ethics” Moral law states God’s principles for a right
relationship with him and with others. The
Christians see an obligation to live their Ten Commandments are the most visible
entire lives in accordance with God's will, in and powerful expression of God’s will for his
addition to proclaiming the gospel, people. As per the New Testament and
expressing their faith, and attending church. reflect on the Bible as a whole, we see that
Being God's people involves abiding by his these commands are still operative. Thus
law, which includes doing what is right and Jesus heartily approved a legal expert’s
walking in it. summary of the Ten Commandments.
According to ethicist John Barton there are Sermon on the Mount
three basic models that form the basis of all The teachings of the sermon are often
ethics in the Bible: (1) Obedience to God’s referred to as the "Ethics of the Kingdom":
will; (2) Natural law; and (3) The imitation of they place a high level of emphasis on
God.  Barton goes on to say the first is "purity of the heart" and embody the basic
probably the strongest model.  Obedience standard of Christian righteousness.
as a basis for ethics is found in Law and in
the wisdom literature and in the Prophets.

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“10 Things You Should Know about historical truth that he has given us moral
Christian Ethics” commands.

1. Christian ethics teaches us how 3. Christian ethics is based on the

to live. Bible.
What the entire Bible teaches us about The Bible aims to instruct us on how to live
whether behaviors, perspectives, and a righteous life, among other things (Col.
individual character qualities are considered 1:9–10; 1 Thess. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:17). The
appropriate by God is what Christian when Bible is a more reliable source of moral
considering the Bible's teaching on modern instruction than tradition, reason,
civil government, it is crucial to comprehend experience, expected outcomes, or
how it evolved from the old covenant (under subjective perceptions of wisdom because it
Moses) to the new covenant (instituted by is the holiest. Even though these additional
Christ). It is crucial to keep in mind that the factors can never override what the Bible
wise laws and punishments that God gave teaches, they can still be useful to us in
to the civil government of Israel as a nation helping to make wise decisions.
back then differed greatly from the wise
purposes that God has for the civil 4. Christian ethics is essential to the
governments of secular nations today. proclamation of the gospel.
ethics seeks to answer. Evangelism in the New Testament definitely
featured a call to repentance, but some
Therefore, Christian ethics instructs us on Christian speakers today minimize or
how to live. In order to better understand completely exclude such a call. In the final
God's plan and to "live in a manner worthy moments before ascending to heaven,
of the Lord, entirely pleasing to him," it is Jesus instructed his followers to "proclaim
important that we study Christian ethics repentance for the remission of sins in his
(Col. 1:10). name to all nations, beginning with
Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). Similar to this,
2. The ultimate basis for Christian Paul warned the Greek philosophers who
ethics is the moral character of practiced paganism in Athens that they
God. needed to turn from their sins because the
God takes great pleasure in his own moral final judgment was near: "The times of
nature, which is infinitely good, constant, ignorance God overlooked, but now he
and eternal. His moral nature informs his commands all people everywhere to repent,
standards for treating other people, because he has fixed a day on which he will
therefore they are universal and applicable judge the world in righteousness by a man
to all individuals throughout history whom he has appointed; and of this he has
(although the Bible also contains many given assurance to all by raising him from
temporary commands intended only for the dead" (Acts 17:30-31; see also Acts
specific people at a specific time). 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 11:18; Hebrews 6:1). In
the New Testament, "repentance" refers to
God commands us to love because he is more than just a "change of mind," and also
love (1 John 4:19). He calls us to be holy includes remorse for one's sins and a real
because he is holy (1 Peter 1:15). He is inward desire to turn from sin and turn to
forgiving, and he exhorts us to reciprocate Christ in faith (Hebrews 6:1; Acts 16:31).
(Luke 6:36). He is truthful, and he forbids us
from giving false testimony (Titus 1:2; 5. Christian ethics teaches us how
Exodus 20:16). A Christian response to the to live for the glory of God.
dilemma of how we may proceed from "is" To live an ethical life means to do
statements to "ought" statements in ethics everything for God's glory (1 Corinthians
is based on God's moral nature and the 10:31). Such a life will consist of three

SS110: World History 1 Page 2 of 8

things: behavior that praises God, results God (Ephesians 4:30; 1 John 3:21),
that glorify God (such as a life that bears awareness of God's chastisement and
abundant fruit for God's kingdom), and a potential experience of his discipline (1
character that glorifies God (a Christ-like Corinthians 11:30; Hebrews 12:5-11; see
character) (a life of obedience to God, lived also Ephesians 4:30; Revelation 3:19), and
in personal relationship with God). a reduction in the fruitfulness of our
ministries and Christian lives (John 15:4-5).
Extensive New Testament teachings on According to Matthew 6:12 and 1 John 1:9,
living the Christian life demonstrate that our Christians should pray every day for
daily obedience as justified Christians is an forgiveness of their sins in order to regain
important factor of the Christian life, even their personal relationship with God, which
though we are justified by faith in Christ has been damaged by sin.
alone and not by works. We must steer
clear of the opposite errors of legalism and 8. Christian ethics teaches us to
antinomianism in order to properly consider four dimensions of any
understand obedience. action, and nine possible sources
of information.
6. Obeying God brings numerous Our right and wrong actions are only one
blessings to our daily lives. aspect of Christian ethics. Life is complex,
The New Testament teaches at least and we are complex beings. God therefore
seventeen specific kinds of blessings that wants us to take into account a person's
come to us in connection with living in attitudes toward the action, their motivations
obedience to God’s commands in Scripture. for performing the action, and the outcome
These blessings include the joy of deeper of the action when studying Christian ethics.
fellowship with God (John 15:10); the joy of
pleasing God (2 Corinthians 5:9; Colossians Sometimes we have to make a decision
1:10); the joy of becoming a vessel for right away in order to know God's will
“honorable use” by God (2 Timothy 2:20- because we don't have time to think it
21); the joy of being an effective witness to through. However, there are other times
unbelievers (1 Peter 2:12; 3:1); the joy of when we have more time to think about a
increased answers to our prayers (1 Peter choice. When we have more time to think
3:10-12; James 5:16; 1 John 3:21-22); the about a choice, we can consult up to nine
joy of closer fellowship with other Christians different sources for knowledge and
(1 John 1:7); the joy of a clear conscience direction: (1) the Bible, (2) the knowledge of
(1 Timothy 1:5, 19); and several other the situation's facts, (3) our own knowledge,
blessings. (4) other people's opinions, (5) changed
circumstances, (6) our consciences, (7) our
God intended that obedience to him would hearts, (8) our human spirits, and (9) the
not be burdensome (1 John 5:3) but would Holy Spirit's direction. In order to properly
bring us great joy. For this reason, when weigh these factors when making a
Christians are not “conformed to this world” decision, we need the wisdom of God.
we discover that following the will of God is
a path of life that is for us “good and 9. We should never think that God
acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). wants us to choose a “lesser
sin.”
7. Willful sin brings several harmful Although several evangelical ethics books
consequences to our daily lives. claim that, from time to time, we face
The New Testament lists a number of situations of “impossible moral conflict”
negative effects that result from willful sin in where all our choices are sinful and we
a Christian's life. These consequences must simply choose to commit the “lesser
include a break in our daily fellowship with sin,” this idea is not taught in Scripture. It is

SS110: World History 1 Page 3 of 8

contradicted both by the life of Christ, “who government of Israel as a nation back then
in every respect has been tempted as we differed greatly from the wise purposes that
are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15), and by the God has for the civil governments of secular
promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says nations today.
that God will always provide a “way of
escape.”
Christian Ethics
The “impossible moral conflict” view easily
becomes a slippery slope that in actual Christian ethics is a systematic study of the
practice encourages Christians to sin more way of life exemplified and taught by Jesus,
and more. applied to the manifold problems and
decisions of human existence. It therefore
finds its base in the last of these frames of
10. Using the Old Testament for reference, and in the other five only as they
ethical guidance requires an are consistent with the sixth and exist as
understanding of the history of applications or implications of the moral
redemption. insights of Jesus. This is not to claim that
When reading the Old Testament, many we have a perfect record of the life and
Christians have pondered how we should teachings of Jesus, for historical
interpret the intricate laws that God gave to scholarship has made it clear that the
the Israelites under Moses' direction. records we have in the Gospels reflect not
Understanding the "history of redemption" only what Jesus was and did and said, but
the overall development of the Bible's main also what the early Church believed about
storyline is necessary for this. him. Still less is it to claim that any fallible
human mind can enter so fully into the
Exodus 20 marked the beginning of the divine-human consciousness of Jesus as to
Mosaic covenant, which came to an end say without error what his judgment would
with Christ's death. Christians now live be in every concrete case of contemporary
under the terms of the new covenant rather decision, It is only to affirm that we have an
than being directly governed by the laws of adequate, a dependable, and an
the Mosaic covenant. However, when indispensable guide to Christian action in
viewed in light of the new covenant's what we know of Jesus and in what through
modifications and in accordance with the him we know of God. No other guide,
ways that the authors of the New however important and useful, is either
Testament use the Old Testament to teach adequate, or so dependable, or so
ethical principles, the Old Testament is still indispensable.
a priceless source of ethical wisdom. With
the exception of the Sabbath, which is not The greatest commandment—to love God
explicitly reaffirmed as a requirement for and your neighbor—is the highest ethical
new covenant Christians, the authors of the obligation a Christian has. As it is for
New Testament explicitly affirm all of the theology, Scripture is the source of
moral principles found in the Ten Christian ethics. This is due to the fact that
Commandments. God, who is goodness in and of himself, is
our highest authority and standard. While
When considering the Bible's teaching on non-believers can only partially and
modern civil government, it is crucial to inadequately comprehend what is good
comprehend how it evolved from the old through the created order and their
covenant (under Moses) to the new consciences, Christians can learn about
covenant (instituted by Christ). It is crucial God's nature through studying Scripture.
to keep in mind that the wise laws and Although Christians ultimately get their
punishments that God gave to the civil moral principles from the Bible, particular

SS110: World History 1 Page 4 of 8

passages of the Bible—such as the Mosaic
legal code—must be viewed in the context “St. Thomas’ Natural Law of Ethics”
of redemptive history rather than being
simply translated from one far-off society to
another. Philosophical systems that make
an effort to establish ethical standards can
St. Thomas’
be beneficial for Christians considering
ethical issues, but Scripture must always be
the final word in any Christian ethical
Natural Law
endeavor. Finally, even if the Bible does not
directly address many contemporary
concerns, there are biblical principles that
Ethics
can be relied upon to establish sound moral
judgments.

Loving God with all of one's heart, mind,

Natural law – is
soul, and strength is the highest ethical
obligation a person may have. The
obligation to love one's neighbor as oneself
the “ordinance
is their second highest ethical obligation. In
order
for a Christian to fulfill these moral
of Divine
commitments, they must be submitted to
the principles of God's Word and the Law of
Christ. The ultimate aim of anything that is
Wisdom, which
spoken, done, thought, and felt is to glorify
God. Being a blessing to others and being a
more virtuous person are two more
is made known
overarching ethical objectives.

It is rather disappointing that many people

to us by reason
—both Christians and non-Christians—tend
to view believers as legalistic and
condemning in light of this positive
and which
perspective. Those who uphold God's moral
standards will have to shine light into
darkness and protest against wicked acts
requires the
that may be widely accepted in society in a
world that is in rebellion against God. Yes,
there are things to avoid, but the Bible also
observance of
demands a number of positive moral
obligations. It does not simply give a set of
limits and "thou shalt nots" as its moral
the moral
code. We should avoid evil and carry out
good deeds, according to the Bible, if we
are to appropriately construct our ethical
order”
beliefs from it. The Christian life can be a
joyful experience of doing good; Christian
ethics should be a delight. There is a
- It may also
categorical distinction between good and
evil, as well as between right and wrong. defined to be
SS110: World History 1 Page 5 of 8
“The eternal to us by reason
law as far as it and which
made known by requires the
human reason” observance of
- By the eternal the moral
law which order”
reason reveals - It may also
as directive of defined to be
human acts, we “The eternal
call the natural law as far as it
law made known by
Natural law – is human reason”
the “ordinance - By the eternal
of Divine law which
Wisdom, which reason reveals
is made known as directive of
human acts, we
SS110: World History 1 Page 6 of 8
call the natural
natural laws' requirements flow from the
intrinsic distinction between right and
wrong, which is determined by the very

law
essences of things. Therefore, under this
law, some behaviors are not evil primarily
because they are prohibited even though
Natural law is the "ordinance of Divine they are evil in and of themselves. 2. As a
Wisdom, which is revealed to us by reason result, the natural law applies equally to
and which requires observance to the moral everyone, everywhere, at all times.
order"; it is also sometimes referred to as However, this is not true of positive laws,
"the eternal law as far as it is made known which may be altered in response to shifting
by human reason"; we refer to natural law circumstances or, if the law's author so
as the eternal law which reason reveals as desires, even in the absence of shifting
the direction of human acts. circumstances. 3. Although only God is
the source of positive laws, positive
God's plan for creation is eternal law. Being laws may still be passed by men. 4.
a part of God's creation means that we are Natural law is established through the
also a part of his eternally law. Given our use of reason, whereas positive laws
limitations, we might not be able to fully need an outside sign to be established.
comprehend the eternal law. But we can
understand or sense the eternal law Defining Law St. Thomas explained that
because of reason. Natural law dictates reason and logic are used to spread the
this. natural law. Positive laws require an
external sign for their implementation.
St. Thomas Aquinas said: "There is in man Positive laws are those that have been
an inclination to good, according to the passed into law. "An ordinance of reason
nature of his reason, which is nature is which is for the common good, and has
proper to him. Thus, man has a natural been promulgated by one having change
inclination to know the truth about God of the community," is how St. Thomas
and to live in society. And in this regard, defined law in general.
whatever pertains to this inclination
belongs to the natural law; for example, A law must be the product of reason, not
to shun ignorance, to avoid offending purely emotion. When the heart takes
those among whom one must live, and control, we become highly irrational. As
other such things regarding the above social beings who belong to a community,
inclination." laws are passed for the benefit of all. A law
that benefits men at the expense of women
Charles Coppens, S.J., the Rev. St. cannot be considered a law. A law must be
Thomas describes the different types of law implemented by a person whose main
as follows: A law decreed by Almighty God responsibility is to look out for their
is a divine law; a law established by man is community and people.
a human law. Those laws for human
conduct which God, having once decreed ----------------------------------------------------------
creation, necessarily enacts in accordance Electronic References:
with that decree constitute the natural law;
those which God or man freely enact are Henry,[Link],2022
positive laws. [Link]
/Ethics-obeying-the-truth.
The four differences between positive laws
and natural laws are as follows: 1. Positive Gruden,Wayne."10 Things You Should
laws depend on God's free will, whereas Know about Christian Ethics." Crossway, 24

SS110: World History 1 Page 7 of 8

July2018,
[Link]
you-should-know-about-christian-ethics.

Paul Ramsey’s Basic Christian Ethics (New

York: Chas. Scribner’s Sons, 1950)
[Link]
chapter/chapter-1-what-is-christian-ethics/
[Link]
christian-ethics/

Magadia,Mark.”St. Thomas’ Natural Law of

Ethics.”(2020).
[Link]
universidad-de-manila/education/st-thomas-
natural-law-ethics/11223585

Prepared by

1) Salanda, Casey Reggs

2) Santos, Kristine
3) Serinas, Heart Eunice
Section: PCBET-01-101P

Checked by:

Asst. Prof. Niňo P. Maliban

Subject Instructor

SS110: World History 1 Page 8 of 8