We live in a world in which there appear to be only two considerations when it comes to any ethical discussion: Does it make me feel good? and, Do I consent? To be sure, some might argue that ethics ought to be governed by what is good for society, but what is good for society is often determined on a person-to-person by what is good for me.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Paul addressed the matter of ethics—specifically, sexual ethics—from a very different perspective. Rather than focusing on what felt good or on what people consented to, he focused on God. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” The one consideration that towered above all others for him was whether or not his readers were acting within the will of God. Ethics, for him, had a fixed anchor, which transcended personal and cultural opinion. What truly mattered was God’s will, not the individual will.
While the immediate context of these verses is sexual purity, the overriding principle set forth here applies equally to every area of Christian ethics. Rather than focusing narrowly on the matter of sexual ethics here, I want to briefly put forth some considerations about Christian ethics in general. I think there are at least three considerations worth our time.
First, Christian ethics find their rooting in the character of God. God is good, unchanging, and eternal in character, and Christian ethics flow from his good, unchanging, eternal character. Because he does not change, Christian ethics do not change. Christians don’t update ethical expectations on the basis of cultural or religious trends.
God commands Christians to love because he is love (1 John 4:19). God commands Christians to be holy because he is holy (1 Peter 1:15). God commands Christians to show mercy because he is merciful (Luke 6:36). God commands Christians to speak truth because he is truth (Titus 1:2; Exodus 20:16). When Christians consider how they ought to behave in any given circumstance, they do it on the basis of his character.
Second, Christian ethics are rooted in Scripture, which is the revelation of God’s character. God’s word teaches us about God and therefore teaches us how to live before God. Scripture clearly reveals that part of its intention is to teach us how to live before God. Our text reveals that, in Scripture, we have “received … how you ought to walk and to please God” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). Through exposure to Scripture, Christians are “filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9–10). Scripture was given by inspiration of God “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17).
God has given us the resource we need to live a life that is pleasing to him. While we may, in some respects, face specific challenges that previous generations have not, the principles set forth in Scripture point us to the character of God, which is the unchanging basis of ethical expectations. We are not left to our own devices to uncover God’s character and therefore his expectations of us; he has revealed to us his word for that purpose.
Third, Christian ethics emphasise how to live life for the glory of God. Our ultimate goal in life is not personal comfort or enjoyment. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism accurately asserts, our “chief end” is to “glorify God and enjoy him forever.” The Christian life is meant to be lived in a way that is intentionally God-centred. If we live life only for our own pleasure, we have missed the mark to which God has called us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
As you meditate this morning on 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, examine your heart to see if you are committed, above all else, to live according to the will of God. Ask Gd for the strength to help you do that.
