The Doctrine of Revelation: Authority (Part 4)

The Bible and Ethics

How do you decide what’s right and wrong? If you took a random survey you’d find any number of answers. Some people base their morality on what mom and dad taught them, others just watch what their friends do. Still others may flip a coin, or follow a particular philosopher/teacher. Some may just do the opposite of whatever Brittany Spears does, and that might be a fine model too. But for the Christian the ultimate guide for our lives is the Bible. If we want to know how we are to live, and what is right and what is wrong, then we must turn to the Bible.

To speak of the Bible’s authority is to speak of its right to dictate how we think, act, and speak. It sets the standard for our lives and we must submit to it. Now this all sounds acceptable enough in our minds, in abstract thought, but when it comes to actual application even the most faithful follower of Jesus struggles. For the Bible tells us how we are to treat our enemies, how we are to use our money, how we are to deal with disappointment, and what we are to pursue. Sadly, even for us Christians, we often don’t like what the Bible says.

We don’t like that the Bible tells us to think of others before we think of ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). We don’t like that the Bible commands us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). But the real test of whether or not we affirm the authority of Scripture is to see how we respond when our wants and God’s commands rub up against each other. In those moments do we obey His Word or do what we want anyways?

You see, friends, it is really easy to say we affirm Scripture’s authority in matters of doctrine. We can easily denounce this person and that person as a “heretic” because they don’t believe what the Bible teaches. But how quick are we to critique and judge ourselves for failure to live by God’s Word in our daily lives? Maybe we’re heretics for choosing to love money today, or lusting yesterday. God’s Word, you see, is not simply authoritative for doctrinal matters. Scripture attests that it is sufficient for all matters of LIFE and faith (2 Peter 1:3). If you truly believe the Scriptures, then you must submit to it in your life. The Bible is authoritative in ethics!