Understanding The Bible |
G. Coleman Luck,
Excerpt From: Bibliotheca Sacra Theological Journal,
"Christian Ethics" -- Vol 118 #471 -- Jul 1961
The Christian's Duties
Duties toward God
I.
Positive
1. Trust Him (Mark 11:22; John
14:1, ASV; Heb. 11:6).
2. Love Him and seek to know
Him better (1 John 5:2; Phil. 3:10, 15; Jas. 4:8).
3. Be thankful to Him; worship
and praise Him (John 4:23; Col. 3:15; Heb. 13:15.)
4. Serve Him (Rom. 12:6-8, 11;
1 Cor. 15:58).
5. Pray to Him (Luke 18:1;
Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Tim. 2:2).
6. Live in accordance with His
will (Rom. 12:1; Heb. 13:21; Jas. 4:7).
7. Walk in the Spirit (Gal.
5:16, 25; Eph. 5:18).
8. Hold fast to sound doctrine
and contend for the faith (2 Tim. 1:13; Heb. 13:9; Jude 3).
9. Witness for Christ (John
15:27; Acts 1:8; 1 Pet. 3:15).
10. Do everything as unto Him (1 Cor.
10:31; Eph. 6:7-8; Col. 3:17, 23-24).
11. Be diligent in devotion and study of
His Word (John 5:39; Col. 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 4:8; 1 Pet. 2:2).
II.
Negative
1. Do not have idols (1 Cor.
10:7, 14; Eph. 5:3; Phil. 3:19; Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:17; Heb. 13:15; 1 John
5:21).
2. Do not receive false
teachers (2 John 10).
3. Do not mock or speak
against God (Gal. 6:7; Col. 3:8).
Duties toward Other Human Beings
I.
Positive
1. Love all, especially our
brethren (John 15:17; Rom. 12:10; 1 Cor. 16:14; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 3:23; 1
John 4:7).
2. Be sympathetic and
compassionate (Eph. 4:32; Phil. 2:4; Col. 3:12).
3. Forgive and forbear (Rom.
12:19; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).
4. Deal honestly and fairly
(Rom. 12:17b; Rom. 13:7; Rom. 13:13; 1 Thess. 4:12; Jas. 2:1).
5. Do good to all and help all
(Rom. 12:13; Gal. 6:2, 10; 1 Thess. 5:15; Titus 3:1; Heb. 13:16; Jas. 4:17; 3
John 11).
6. Tell the truth (Eph. 4:25).
7. Be courteous and live
peaceably with all (Rom. 12:18; 1 Pet. 2:17; 1 Pet. 3:8).
8. Treat others as we would
like for them to treat us (Luke 6:31; Rom. 12:17a).
9. Provide a good example for
others (1 Cor. 8:9, 13; Phil. 2:15).
10. Urge brethren to good works and seek
to restore backsliders (Gal. 6:1; Heb. 10:24).
II.
Negative
1. Do not lie or bear false
witness (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Titus 2:3).
2. Do not steal (Eph. 4:28; 1
Pet. 4:15).
3. Do not murder (1 Pet.
4:15).
4. Do not commit adultery or
fornication (1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Thess. 4:13).
5. Do not judge others or
speak evil of them (Rom. 14:13; Titus 3:2; Jas. 4:11; cf. John 7:24).
6. Do not be unequally yoked
with an unbeliever (2 Cor. 6:14).
7. Do not have fellowship with
professing Christians who live in scandalous sin (1 Cor. 5:11; 2 Thess. 3:14).
8. Do not go to law with other
believers (1 Cor. 6:lff).
9. Do not glory in men (1 Cor.
3:21).
10. Avoid troublemakers and useless
disputes (Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 2:23; Titus 3:12).
11. Do not have unpaid debts (Rom. 13:8).
Duties toward Self
I.
Positive
1. Be holy (1 Pet. 1:15; 1
Pet. 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:1).
2. Cleave to the good and do
good to all (Rom. 12:9; 1 Thess. 5:15).
3. Study the Word of God and
meditate on sacred things (1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Tim. 2:15).
4. Grow spiritually (2 Pet.
3:18).
5. Think on good things (Phil.
4:8).
6. Think soberly of yourself
(Rom. 12:3).
7. Be ambitious in the right
way (1 Cor. 12:31; 1 Cor. 14:1; 2 Cor. 5:4).
8. Be content with what God
gives you (Heb. 13:5).
9. Rejoice in the Lord (Rom.
12:12; Phil. 3:1; Phil. 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:16).
10. Live in the light of the judgment seat
of Christ (1 Cor. 9:24).
11. Judge yourself and confess sins to God
(1 Cor. 11:31; 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 John 1:9).
12. Conserve time for good purposes (Eph.
5:11; Col. 4:5).
13. Cultivate your mind (1 Pet. 1:13).
14. Do useful work (Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess.
3:12).
15. Keep your body clean and in good
health (1 Cor. 6:15; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 12:1).
II.
Negative
1. Abhor evil (Rom. 12:9; 1
Thess. 5:22).
2. Avoid pride (Rom. 12:3;
Jas. 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:6).
3. Do not conform to or love
the world (Rom. 12:2; 1 John 2:15).
4. Do not fellowship with evil
(Eph. 5:11).
5. Do not sin through anger
(Eph. 4:26).
6. Do not worry (Phil. 4:6; 1
Pet. 5:7; 1 John 14:1, 27).
7. Do not be lazy (Rom. 12:1).
8. Do not use filthy speech
(Eph. 4:29; Eph. 5:4).
9. Do not become drunk (Eph.
5:18).
10. Do not complain (1 Cor. 10:10; Phil.
2:14).
General Principles of Conduct under Grace
The above list certainly shows that there are many specific commands given to
the Christian in the New Testament with regard to his conduct. Nevertheless
life under grace is not defined down to the very last detail as was life under
law. Instead grand principles are provided whereby we may test all things if
occasion should ever arise where we were in doubt as to what we should do. For
such principles the following verses should be carefully studied: Romans 6:4;
2 Corinthians 6:17; Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 5:1, 8, 15; Colossians 1:10;
Colossians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 1 John 2:6.
Miscellaneous Duties
Beyond all that has been said in this article, there are still other duties
which the earnest believer would do well to consider: duties toward the lower
creation; responsibilities with regard to human government; special duties
devolving upon particular classes, such as the unmarried, husbands, wives,
children, servants.
2011-11-20