By Ranil Jayantha Wijeyesekera –

Ranil Jayantha Wijeyesekera

From the beginning man had within him some knowledge of right or wrong.  God gave man a revelation of the standards of conduct he required in human relationships, and a person’s conscience judged him according to these standards.  This was so even when the person had rejected the knowledge of God ( Rom 1;21-23; 2:14 -15, cf Matt 7-11).

How should we live? Shall we aim at happiness or at knowledge, virtue or the creation of beautiful objects? If we choose happiness, will it be our own or the happiness of all? How should we live? Shall we aim at happiness or at knowledge, virtue, or the creation of beautiful or more particular questions that face us: Is it right to be dishonest in a good cause? Can we justify living in opulence while elsewhere in the world people are starving? If conscripted to fight in a war we do not support, should we disobey the law? What are our obligations to the other creatures with whom we share this planet and to the generations of humans who will come after us?

Although ethics has always been viewed as a branch of philosophy, its all-embracing practical nature links it with many other areas of study, including anthropology, biology, economics, history, politics, sociology, and theology. Yet, ethics remains distinct from such disciplines because it is not a matter of factual knowledge in the way that the sciences and other branches of inquiry are. Rather, it has to do with determining the nature of normative theories and applying these sets of principles to practical moral problems.

The Christian contribution to improving the position of slaves can also be linked with the distinctively Christian list of virtues. Some of the virtues described by Aristotle, as, for example, greatness of soul, are quite contrary in spirit to Christian virtues such as humility. In general, it can be said that the Greeks and Romans prized independence, self-reliance, magnanimity, and worldly success. By contrast, Christians saw virtue in meekness, obedience, patience, and resignation

The New Testament generally asserts that all morality flows from the Great Commandment, to love God with all one’s heart, mind, strength, and soul, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. In this,Jesus was reaffirming a teaching of the Torah (Deut 6:4-9 and Lev 19:18), commonly referred to as Judeo-Christian ethics. Christ united these commands together and proposed himself as a model of the love required in John 13:12, known also as The New Commandment. The meaning of the word can be imprecise, so Thomas Aquinas defined “love” for the benefit of the Christian believer as “to will the good of another.” (Christian ethics)

We must understand Gods creation of Ethics. And the influence of Ethics on the conscience. Ethics is a broad subject whose particular concern is with right conduct in Human behavior.  This includes every aspect of peoples conduct, whether it involves others or not. People are answerable to God for all that they do ( Heb 4:13; Rev 20:12).

What is the influence of Ethics on the conscience. Ethics is a broad subject whose particular concern is with right conduct in Human behavior.  This includes every aspect of peoples conduct, whether it involves others or not. People are answerable to God for all that they do ( Heb 4:13; Rev 20:12).

From the beginning man had within him some knowledge of right or wrong.  God gave man a revelation of the standards of conduct he required in human relationships, and a person’s conscience judged him according to these standards.  This was so even when the person had rejected the knowledge of God ( Rom 1;21-23; 2:14 -15, cf Matt 7-11).

To understand Ethics it is necessary to see Gods Design of the World. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him : male and female  created he them(Gen 1: 27).  And God saw everything that he made and, behold it was very good.  (Gen: 1:31B ). God created an obedient Adam and Eve. He also gave him free will. God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresence. He knows the past present and future.

His grand design  was before the creation o f the World.  Everything was predestined. He knew Adam and Eve would sin. So  He was ready to use Jesus to nullify the sin that was brought into the World. For God so loved the World , that he gave his only begotten Son , that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3 :16). The stone which the Builders rejected , the same has become the head of the corner (Matt22:42).   Jesus was preexistent before the creation of the World. God  planed  the creation of the New Heaven and New Earth at the end times. In the beginning was the word. And the Word was with God. And the word was God (John 1:10).

When God took the people of Israel into a covenant relationship  with himself, he gave them a law code to regulate their national life.  They were based  on the truth  that mans moral conduct should be a reflection  of the moral of God.

Ethics must be communicated to man or Groups to be implanted in the heart as conscience. Parents, schooling and the Environment influences the conscience. Culture of the person has great effect on the conscience. If it is required to transmit Ethics is ones life and Words on what is right can change the persons or Groups Ethics.  Cultural Groups such as Families, Clans and tribe s  played their part in the Bible. Behavior, Values, Beliefs and World View give us a understanding of Culture.

Adam and Eve received  power over all the other Creatures. But when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden Fruit they became spiritually dead.  Satan then became Ruler of the Earth. They gained the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Their conscience changed their behavior. They became separated from God. They were banished from Paradise.  The true conscience was buried deep inside their Heart.  It was for God to bring Jesus to save many.  When by his blood we have atonement for sins. When we accept God, Repent, turn from our sins and accept Christ  we our born again and our conscience is transformed.  The Holy Spirit prompts and convicts us of our Sins.  Our Ethics become Christian ethics .  Our Worldview becomes a Christian Worldview.

Adams Ethics were evil. Deep inside our heart we have the true Ethics.  In Noahs time man had sinned grievously .   God destroyed all creatures except the Creatures in the Ark. Noah found favor with God.  Seventy people Groups became the roots to the different Nations of the World.  God said that he would not destroy the Earth again. God blessed the descendents of Noah. Man sinned again in Building the Tower of Babel. Abraham and God came to a Covenant relationship. The Jews became Gods people. God gave Moses the Torah including the Ten Commandments. .  Man wanted to reach the Heavens and be equal to God.  God then changed mans one tongue to many and man became divided to many groups with different ethics.  But with the coming of the Holy Spirit those were all united as Gods People. Lives and Their ethics were transformed completely and they became a people who lived and prayed in one accord.

We will  change. We must live in communion with God and man. Jesus died that we may Live. We can live an abundant Life.  Jesus paid with his blood the price for our sins. Therefore we are transformed so that we follow the highest Ethical standard. We confess our sin as we are convicted by the Holy Spirit. When we study the Bible. The Holy Spirit gives us the Rehma Word and interprets the Bible to us. We are to pray constantly to communicate with God. We must live in fellowship with our fellow Christians. Helping others is also important. Going to Church is mandatory. God has a plan for our life. In prayer we realize our calling. God tells us what we should do. We are helped to form our Goals in life. There should be a Vision.  We come to realize the steps we must take. Intergrotive Prayer keep us on the right path.

Jesus extended the Mosiac Law.  We should live according to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ message is eternal. It is for all times. Even now Jesus is in heaven with the Father interceding for us. The Sermon of the Mount gives us the ability to live a life of the highest Ethical Standard. The importance is to live to the Spirit of the Law makes us even break the law..

Beliefs on the priorities’ of Gothic Architecture, Pipe Organs and English Hymns and literature  and other aspects of Western Culture. Instead we must enforce Jesus Culture Brought forward by the spirit of the Law to today’s need. We should circumcise the Heart to bring about Love in all its fullness to God and Man. We must work at a Christian World View.

A Christian World View, answers three questions Biblically. 1) We are Gods Creation,. Designed to govern the World and to fellowship with him. (Gen 1:27-28:2:15) 2) We sinned against God and subjected the whole World to a curse.Gen:3  3) God himself  has redeemed the world  through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ.  (Gen 3:15; Luke 19:10) and will one day restore creation  to a former perfect state (Isaiah 65:17-25) A Christian world view leads us to believe  in moral absolutes , miracles, human dignity, and the possibility of Redemption.

It is important to remember that a World View is comprehensive. It affects every area of life, from money to morality, from politics to art. True Christianity is more than a set of ideas to use at church. Christianity as taught in the Bible is itself a Worldview the Bible never distinguishes between “religious” and a “secular” life; the Christian life is the only life there is. Jesus proclaimed Himself “the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) and, in doing so, became our Worldview.

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law,. These not having the Law, , are a law unto themselves. Which show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another? (Rom 2:14-15). This could be extended in Spirit to unbelievers. However this is the exception not the rule. If a unbeliever accepts the Word in Jesus can he be Saved.  It is important that a Christian in action, word and Deed comply with the Word.  For unto whom so ever much is given, of him shall be much required, and to whom men have committed much of him they will ask for more.

Living an abundant life is an exemplary life. Witnessing to unbelievers and helping God transform lives and granting them Salvation is our aim. Then God will see that we live to the highest Ethical standards.