‌Why be Moral?

1 Corinthians 15:32 asks a thought-provoking question: “What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'” 

Phil: Let me ask you guys a question: what if there were no tomorrows?

Gus: No tomorrow? That would mean there would be no consequences, there would be no hangovers. We could do whatever we wanted!

Phil: That’s true. We could do…whatever we wanted.

In 1 Corinthians 15:16, we read, “For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.” This leads us to ponder how we establish our moral standards.

As G. K. Chesterton once put it, “Art, like morality, consists in drawing the line somewhere.” So, let’s dive into why we should stick to moral principles from a biblical perspective.

The Bible is a treasure trove of moral wisdom. It’s filled with stories, teachings, and commandments that provide a framework for understanding goodness and how to treat others. At its core, it tells us that we’re created in the image of God and should reflect that in our behavior.

A crucial biblical teaching is love. Jesus summed it up as loving God with everything we have and loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). This isn’t just about warm feelings; it’s about actively caring for others. As the Apostle Paul said, “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10).

This emphasis on love gives us a strong reason to pursue moral conduct. When we act out of love, we not only fulfill our divine purpose but also promote the well-being of others. Love extends beyond personal virtue; it shapes caring, empathetic, and fair communities.

Another key biblical value is justice. The Old Testament is full of God’s concern for the oppressed and marginalized. Prophets passionately called for a society where justice would flow like a mighty river (Amos 5:24). Jesus identified with the downtrodden and urged his followers to do the same (Matthew 25:31-46).

This focus on justice offers another compelling reason for moral behavior. When we seek justice, we fulfill God’s mandates and enhance the well-being of others. We stand up for those who are marginalized, fostering fairness, equality, and freedom in our communities.

The third biblical value is humility. The Bible is replete with instances where God favors the humble. Jesus taught that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and the humble will be exalted (Luke 14:11). The Apostle Paul also stressed humility, urging us not to think too highly of ourselves (Romans 12:3).

Humility provides a compelling reason for our moral actions. It acknowledges our dependence on God and our interconnectedness with others. It keeps us open to learning and fosters respect, dialogue, and collaboration in our communities.

Romans 1:21–22 (ESV) and Ephesians 4:17–18 (ESV) remind us of the perils of disregarding God’s moral order and letting our foolish hearts darken. It’s a stark warning against the consequences of ignoring divine wisdom.

So, why do we sometimes choose the path of foolishness, as C.S. Lewis noted? In the realm of Christian morality, we must address a critical question: If the Bible isn’t our moral compass, what should be? Our Christian perspective rests on the existence of God and the belief that God communicates with us through the Bible.

According to the Bible, humanity is created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), with the capacity for moral discernment. Our moral compass relies on our understanding of God’s law, delivered through divine revelation and our conscience.

Divine revelation is when God directly communicates His commandments. From Eden to Sinai and Jesus’s teachings, these instances reveal God’s moral character. Our conscience, on the other hand, reflects God’s law written on our hearts (Romans 2:15). But it’s been tarnished due to sin, so we need the Bible for clarity.

The Bible, being the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21), becomes our ultimate source of morality. It guides our moral decisions and distinguishes right from wrong.

But what happens when we abandon the Bible as our moral compass? We rely on our conscience, shaped by various influences. In today’s world, social consensus often shapes our morality. This means our ethics shift with societal norms. However, this can lead to moral instability, much like the Israelites’ decline in Judges 17:6.

So, why should the Bible remain our moral anchor? Because without it, we drift aimlessly. As Jesus said, building our morality on His words is like constructing a house on a rock (Matthew 7:24-25). The Bible provides the unchanging foundation we need for our moral compass.

~PW 🌮🛶