Consistently taking the high road, honoring God, is not a simple matter; the negative influences in one’s upbringing and the corrupt thought patterns of the old life must continually be dealt with. As David Read notes: “[ T] he ‘old man’ is always waiting in the wings.” 2 But the greatest incentive for ethical wholeness in the life of new converts is their newfound love for the Lord. Furthermore, the Spirit-quickened conscience gives guidance over uncertain paths. Ephesians 2: 1 (NKJV) points out that we are no longer “dead in trespasses and sins”; by God’s grace we have been “made alive.” And more than that, restoration work has begun in us— restoration of the image of God. “The conscience is a line connecting man to his Creator: it is one aspect of the image of God in which man was created. It demarcates man from the rest of the animal creation as essentially a moral being who is answerable for his actions— answerable primarily and ultimately to God— and whose behavior should reflect the holiness and lovingkindness of his Creator.” 3 Since receiving a quickened conscience, the child of God is ready for a new set of values, which grow out of the moral climate of the local church as well as that of the Church universal. Hopefully the ethical norms of the Church will reflect the work of the Spirit and not the debilitating influence of the world. So getting the new Christian into a study of the Scriptures is imperative for establishing sound ethical norms. Key passages are the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Pauline epistles, the latter particularly for their practical flavor. Pierce, T. Burton (2012-01-30). Ministerial Ethics: A Guide for Spirit-Filled Leaders (Kindle Locations 415-427). BookMasters. Kindle Edition. Pierce, T. Burton (2012-01-30). Ministerial Ethics: A Guide for Spirit-Filled Leaders (Kindle Locations 427-428). BookMasters. Kindle Edition.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 05:37:29 +0000
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