Business Ethics

Christian ethics is well summarized by Colossians 3:1-6: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the
right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who
is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness,
inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of
disobedience:"

While more than just a list of "do's" and "don'ts," the Bible does give us detailed instructions on how we should live. The Bible is all we need to know
about how to live the Christian life. However, the Bible does not explicitly cover every situation we will face in our lives. How then is it sufficient for the all
the ethical dilemmas we face? That is where Christian ethics comes in.

Science defines ethics as "a set of moral principles, the study of morality." Therefore, Christian ethics would be the principles derived from the Christian
faith by which we act. While God's Word may not cover every situation we face throughout our lives, its principles give us the standards by which we must
conduct ourselves in those situations where there are no explicit instructions.

For example, the Bible does not say anything explicitly about the use of illegal drugs, yet based on the principles we learn through Scripture, we can
know that it is wrong. For one thing, the Bible tells us that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that we should honor God with it (1 Corinthians
6:19-20). Knowing what drugs do to our bodies-the harm they cause to various organs-we know that by using them we would be destroying the temple of
the Holy Spirit. That is certainly not honoring to God. The Bible also tells us that we are to follow the authorities that God Himself has put into place
(Romans 13:1). Given the illegal nature of the drugs, by using them we are not submitting to the authorities but are rebelling against them. Does this mean
if illegal drugs were legalized it would be ok? Not without violating the first principle.

By using the principles we find in Scripture, Christians can determine the ethical course for any given situation. In some cases it will be simple, like the
rules for Christian living we find in Colossians, chapter 3. In other cases, however, we need to do a little digging. The best way to do that is to pray over
God's Word. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer, and part of His role is teaching us how to live: "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26). "As for you, the anointing you received
from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not
counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him" (1 John 2:27). So, when we pray over Scripture, the Spirit will guide us and teach us. He will show us
the principles we need to stand on for any given situation.

While God's Word does not cover every situation we will face in our lives, it is all-sufficient for living a Christian life. For most things, we can simply see
what the Bible says and follow the proper course based on that. In ethical questions where Scripture does not give explicit instructions, we need to look
for principles that can be applied to the situation. We must pray over His Word, and open ourselves to His Spirit. The Spirit will teach us and guide us
through the Bible to find the principles on which we need to stand so we may live as a Christian should.