The Living Word: A Daily Devotional with Jeff & Dale from The Jenkins Institute
The Living Word is a daily devotional featuring Scripture and encouragement from Jeff and Dale of The Jenkins Institute. Each episode offers a thoughtful reading to coincide with the daily devotional guides from our annual devotional books. They are designed to help listeners begin or end their day grounded in God’s Word.
The Living Word: A Daily Devotional with Jeff & Dale from The Jenkins Institute
Week 21: Thursday, Jesus and the Ethics of Social Concern
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In his book, Christian Ethics, Wayne Grudem states, “Christian ethics is
any study that answers the question, ‘What does the whole Bible teach us
about which acts, attitudes, and personal character traits receive God’s
approval, and which do not?’” He goes on to point out, “Thus theology
focuses on ideas while ethics focuses on situations in life. Theology tells
us how we should think while ethics tells us how we should live.” 2
Jesus, in His life and ministry, taught His followers how to live out the
commands of God. Some have suggested that much of Jesus’ teaching
should fall in the realm of ethics.
Welcome to Hearing God's Stories, a daily devotional on the parables presented by the Jickens Institute.
SPEAKER_00Week twenty one Thursday Jesus and the Ethics of Social Concern Today Scripture Matthew twenty five thirty four through thirty six by Keith Harris and I'm Gavin Beardon. In his book Christian Ethics, Wayne Grudman states Christian ethics is any study that answers the question what does the whole Bible teach us about which acts, attitudes, and personal character traits receive God's approval and which do not. He goes on to point out thus theology focuses on ideas while ethics focuses on situations in life. Theology tells us how we should think while ethics tell us how we should live. Jesus, in his life and ministry, taught his followers how to live out the commands of God. Some have suggested that much of Jesus' teaching should fall in the realm of ethics. It does seem to be the case that Jesus spent a great deal of his time and energy helping disciples better understand the will of God. Certainly, the New Testament writers were concerned with how we live and interact with one another in the church, but they were also concerned with how we live and interact among those outside the church. In Matthew twenty five, thirty four through thirty six, Jesus explained that those who serve the marginalized, the needy, and the hurting were those who in fact were serving him. While they were not aware, they were serving Jesus from a right heart, a heart intently on godly, ethical living. Mercy, justice, and advocacy are a significant part of Jesus' life and ministry, his ethics. Jesus called his followers to avoid turning a blind eye to the needs around us. The portion of his teaching helps us to understand that serving others is serving him. As followers of Jesus, we must open our eyes to the needs around us. We must be willing to step out in faith, offering help, support, and advocacy to those in need. We must focus on spiritual maturity, helping to equip others to help others responsibly and sustainably. Finally, we must follow the example of Jesus, living out the mission of God and serving those around us. Today I will reflect on my ethics and seek to follow Christ.
SPEAKER_01Thank you for joining us for the Living Word. For more encouragement and ministry resources, visit the Jesus Institute.com and may God's richest blessings be yours, is our prayer for you.