Believers' Ethical Living

Believers' Ethical Living

Adapted from Bishop Roberto Jemmott’s daily publication “Words of Encouragement" - Believers' Work Ethics (October 9, 2014)

The following paragraph was taken from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics web page, the article was written by Thomas Shanks, S.J.:

"In The Leadership Compass, John Wilcox and Susan Ebbs write, 'Moral behavior is concerned primarily with the interpersonal dimension of our behavior: how we treat one another individually and in groups — and, increasingly, other species and the environment.' The key here is that morality brings us into contact with others and asks us to consider the quality of that contact."

As believers what is the quality of your contact with others, do they see Christ from your contact? Is your contact different from that of the world?

As believers, our morality is governed by the Scriptures and when we come into contact with people who have a different morality how is the quality of that contact? Does the contact bring glory and honor to the Lord? Read Paul's instructions on how our lives should contact and impact the world of the non-believer.

"Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others."

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT)

When we fail to live ethical lives as believers we allow the world to criticize the Church because of our behavior. It's time for believers to live according to the biblical standard. From the above text the Apostle Paul gives us instructions on how to live ethical lives:

First - The believer must "live a quiet life"; a better translation could be to live a tranquil life. Have you ever met someone who is boisterous, always talking so that every one can hear his conversations whether you want to are not! Well Paul instructs us to be the opposite of that person. However, living a tranquil life is not hiding behind closed doors, waiting for the rapture; it's going about living our daily life in a tranquil fashion.

Second - As a believer you must "mind your own business"; don't be a busy body. Let me tell you what Paul is not saying, he is not saying that we should not get involved in the community, work place or the church. What he is saying is that we should not be gossipers or walk around stirring up strife.

Third – Believers, you must "work with your hands"; in other words, be productive. Every believer should be productive; we should not live from hand-outs, we should work. God created us to be fruitful and to multiply; everything you need to succeed is within you.

If we practice these fundamental principles outlined in the Word of God for living ethically, non-believers will not only respect our way of living, but will also join us and become believers.

Be Blessed

Bishop Jemmott