THE MORAL SUPERIORITY OF THE BIBLE

One would expect that a book given by God to teach man how to live would embody the highest standard of human morality possible. Many have concluded that in the Bible we have such a book. In all the "scriptures" of the worlds religions we have no higher standard of righteousness, love and purity than that found in the Bible. Men are called to make love of God and fellowman the first and greatest priority of life. Jesus stated it this way when answering a question concerning God's commandments, "And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, {36} "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" {37} And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' {38} "This is the great and foremost commandment. {39} "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' {40} "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:35-40)

Geisler and Nix in their "Introduction to the Bible" point out that professor M. Monier-Williams spent forty years studying the religious literature of the Orient concluding in the end that they all paled in comparison to the Bible in this regard. In their book on page 120 Geisler and Nix quote the Professor as follows regarding the religious literature of the East and the Bible:

"Pile them, if you will, on the left side of your study table; but place your own Holy Bible on the right side- all by itself, all alone- and with a wide gap between them. For, ... there is a gulf between it and the so-called sacred books of the East which severs the one from the other utterly, hopelessly, and for ever...a veritable gulf which cannot be bridged over by any science of religious thought."

JESUS TEACHING

Jesus states that the entire old Testament law is based on two principles: love of God and love of neighbor. The love of God first and foremost means honor and obedience to God. If man, given life by God, wishes to preserve that life he must subject himself to the one who is the architect of life. If the one given life wishes to enjoy that life together with others in a way that does not bring harm to self and others he must subject himself to the laws of the creator given for his good and that of his neighbor. So in part the basis of biblical morality is the preservation of the gift of life through obedience to God and His commandments.

However Jesus called men to a much higher standard than outward conformity to the laws of God. Jesus called men to the highest level of righteousness and purity from the heart.

(Matthew 5:21-28) "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' {22} "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court;....... {27} "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; {28} but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Furthermore Jesus gives a new commandment to His followers directing them to love others as He had loved them. Jesus of course in love for them and the world gave His sinless life at the cross of calvary to meet the need of sinful man to be redeemed from sin.

(John 13:34-35) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. {35} "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

(John 15:12-13) "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. {13} "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Finally, in contrast to selfish human desire, Jesus tells His followers that those who are truly great are those who give of themselves in service to others following in His example.

(Matthew 20:25-28) But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. {26} "It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, {27} and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; {28} just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

BIBLICAL STANDARDS OF MORALITY

The following examples helps to illustrate the highest of moral standards which are found in God's word the Bible.

1. A Persons Thoughts:

(Philippians 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

2. A Persons Words:

(Ephesians 4:29) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.

(Ephesians 4:25) Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH, EACH ONE of you, WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.

3. A Persons Attitude of Heart:

(Matthew 7:12) "Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

(1 Thessalonians 5:15) .... always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men.

(Philippians 2:3-4) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; {4} do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

4. A Persons Disposition of Heart:

(Ephesians 4:31-32) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. {32} And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

(Colossians 3:12-14) And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; {13} bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. {14} And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

5. Love of Neighbor:

(John 13:34) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, {5} does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, {6} does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; {7} bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. {8} Love never fails;

(1 John 3:16-18) We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. {17} But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? {18} Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

6. Husbands and Wives:

(Ephesians 5:25-30) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; {26} that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, {27} that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. {28} So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; {29} for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, {30} because we are members of His body.

7. Moral Purity:

(Ephesians 5:3-6) But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; {4} and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. {5} For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. {6} Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.