Christian Ethics At A Glance Series

Christian Ethics At-a-Glance

(Romans 12:14-21)

1. The Law Professor specialized in teaching ethics: “You’re currently failing your ethics course,” he told me. So I slipped him a $200 in crisp bills across the table. “How about now?” I asked.

The professor pocketed the money and said, “Still failing!”

I said, “OK, can I have my $200 back?”

He said, “What $200?”

2. Nobody likes a hypocrite. The truth is that all of us live below the ideals we profess. But some of us make great effort to live ethically, and it bothers us when we fail. Others don’t care or control selves.

Main Idea: Christians are supposed to stand out from others in their ethics, but sometimes we need both direction and permission to be different. Paul does this by means of several bullet points.

I. We DISPLACE Cursing with Blessing (14, 17a, 19-20).

• People find it off-putting to see a Christian live in obedience to Scripture

• Sometimes God calls us the counter-intuitive.

• Several verses are a summary of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount/teachings

Matthew 5:43, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

A. VERBALLY blessing them (14)

1. Nobody likes to be hated….

2. It helps to bless because we say it aloud/ also told to pray for…

3. When the situation arises, you have to ask, “How rare this is to have the opportunity…”

4. Saying things makes a difference in attitude...sometimes forcing oneself can be helpful

5. Not the same as lying to oneself… rather an attitude adjustment

B. Refusing to REPAY them in kind (17a)

1. Some people say, “I don’t get angry, I get even.” I hope you don’t think that way.

2. It is not wrong to remove ourselves from toxic situations….but not getting even.

3. This is not about lawbreaking or self-defense, but when the law cannot help...

C. CONSOLING ourselves via God’s determination to even the score (19-20)

1. We are not wrong to want revenge.

2. We will see in Rom. 13 that God ordained government to take revenge on His behalf.

3. So if they ever catch the perpetrator of that horrendous crime near Delphi….

4. Taking revenge is God’s prerogative, thus it is holy for Him to do it.

5. Even the souls under the alter in Rev. 6 cry out for revenge of their blood…

Christians are supposed to stand out from others in their ethics, but sometimes we need both direction and permission to be different.

II. We Defy Self-Absorption by Sharing the FEELINGS of Others (15).

One source explains the distinction between sympathy and empathy: “Sympathy involves understanding from your own perspective. Empathy involves putting yourself in the other person's shoes and understanding WHY they may have these particular feelings.” [source: psychmc.com]

To rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep takes discipline and wisdom.

A. We share in the GOOD times.

1. Rejoicing with those who rejoice can be more challenging that weeping with weepers.

2. Example: you are single & w/out prospects, and your best friend just got engaged.

3. You can’t have children, and you are attending a friend’s baby shower.

4. Your wife died of cancer, but God has graciously healed your friends wife of a similar disease.

5. Your friend got the promotion, a promotion you expected.

B. We share in the BAD times.

1. The best way to comfort someone is to read the Book of Job and do the opposite of his friends.

2. We should say little but listen much. Pray. Agree that there is no understanding “why.”

3. We avoid saying not so bright things, like “some people have it worse.”

4. Sadness and grief are normal part of being human, do not try to eliminate them, but you can help people break them up…

Christians are supposed to stand out from others in their ethics, but sometimes we need both direction and permission to be different.

III. We Shine Like Light by Acting HONORABLY (17b).

Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

A. Acting honorably our message more WINSOME.

• This suggests also a sense of dignity, like avoiding vulgar language, for example.

• Let the Gospel offend them, not our negativeness nor our disposition...

B. Acting honorably GLORIFIES God.

Christians are supposed to stand out from others in their ethics, but sometimes we need both direction and permission to be different.