Living as Christians in a Broken World

Unlike secular moral principles, which is based on ever-changing cultural norms, Christian ethics are grounded in God’s character and do not change. God wants us to live according to the moral principles and actions that arise from our relationship with Him. It is a life shaped by God’s revealed truth in Scripture, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and centered on love for God and neighbor.

As Paul tells us: “…whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). This verse is Paul’s summary statement about Christian liberty, conscience, and love. The immediate context is his exhortation to live thoughtfully and sacrificially. He calls us to a God-centered ethic in every area of life, even the most ordinary activities. Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, a community plagued by division, moral compromise, and theological confusion.

1 Corinthians chapters 8-10 constitute a unit in which Paul addresses the issue of whether the Corinthian Christians should eat food sacrificed to idols, an issue that was dividing the church there. Animal sacrifices were used in pagan religious practices in the city, and then the meat was sold to merchants who offered it for sale to the public.

While acknowledging that idols are nothing (8:4), Paul warns against misusing liberty in ways that could damage weaker believers or lead others into sin (8:9–13; 10:14–22). Just prior (10:23–30), he discusses the legitimacy of eating meat sold in the market without question of conscience, while still urging sensitivity if someone raises an issue of idolatry. Paul’s conclusion is that Christian freedom must be regulated not merely by knowledge, but by love, humility, and a passion for God’s glory.

A Christian's life must be lived in obedience to God. It is not merely a matter right and wrong, but about glorifying God in every decision, thought, and action. Christian standards begin with who God is: holy, righteous, just, and loving. All moral obligations find their source in His nature. David tells us: “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does” (Psalm 145:17).

The standards for us from our Savior and Lord are not arbitrary; they reflect His character and being. When He calls His people to be holy, it is because He is holy: “…just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15–16; paraphrasing Leviticus 19:2: “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy”).

God never changes. His moral standards remain constant across all cultures and eras. Our standards therefore are neither evolving nor negotiable, but must reflect the standards of our Savior and Lord. As a person of our triune God, Jesus reflects perfect righteousness in His life, teachings, death, and resurrection, all of which must be the standards for thinking and acting for Christians today.

He calls us to have an inward transformation rather than mere external compliance: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them…You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder…’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:17, 21–22).

In Christ, our standards of thinking and acting come not from rigid rules, but from being Christlike and filled with the Spirit. He teaches us to love even our enemies (Matthew 5:44), to serve the least (Matthew 25:40), and to live with mercy and truth, all standards for every believer which are contrary to the typical standards in the Western secular culture.

As Christians, we do not live in human strength but in the power of the Holy Spirit in a process called sanctification, the work of the Holy Spirit enabling us to become increasingly like Christ. As Paul observes: “…walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

Galatians 5:16 is a powerful and concise statement capturing the essence of spiritual growth and moral victory. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he introduces a section that contrasts life in the Spirit with life according to the flesh and is a key to understanding sanctification, which takes place not by human effort, but by submission to the Holy Spirit. Paul makes it clear in the next verse (Galatians 5:17) that there is a daily conflict: “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”

Having Christian standards is not primarily about knowing the right thing to do; it is about having the power to do it. This is where the Holy Spirit plays His role. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit began dwelling in us, enabling us to live a godly life, not through external regulation, but through internal transformation. The moral life our Savior and Lord expects is not natural to fallen human beings, who are, in fact, incapable of living holy lives because they are slaves to sin.

The Apostle Paul’s description of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23 defines the moral character of Christ being formed in the believer: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23).

These fruits are in contrast with the “…acts of the flesh…” described earlier in the passage: “… sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like…” (Galatians 5:19–21).

Our morality is not achieved by suppressing the flesh, but by submitting to the Spirit’s work in us. Paul adds: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25); in other words, we must be responsive, sensitive, and obedient to His leading and rely on His strength.

As I noted earlier, the process of being transformed, (becoming increasingly holy), is referred to as sanctification. Paul describes the process this way: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation produces holiness (separation from sin), purity, compassion, and humility. It is not a sudden, but a progressive change. The Spirit reveals sin, convicts us, leads to repentance, and empowers our obedience.

The Christian life is not just about doing good; it is about dying to self so that Christ can live through us.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us in truth and reminds us of His teachings: “But the Advocate, 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). John 14:26 is a promise from Jesus that the Holy Spirit would continue His work among His disciples after His departure. The Spirit would teach, remind, and ensure the faithful transmission of Jesus’ message. This verse highlights the deep unity between the Father, Son, and Spirit and offers believers lasting confidence in the Spirit’s ongoing work to teach, comfort, and sanctify.

The Spirit equips us not only to avoid sin but to do good works, with acts of justice, mercy, hospitality, and service that display the heart of God to a watching world and draw others to Christ. He convicts, empowers, guides, and transforms us. He is not merely an aid to morality; He is the essential source of it. The more we know Him, walk with Him, and submit to Him, the more our lives will reflect the holiness of our Savior and Lord.

The Spirit works in tandem with Scripture, never contradicting it, and bringing clarity in morally complex situations, shaping our conscience, and deepening our discernment. This means we must cultivate a life of prayer, Scripture study, and seeking the Spirit’s guidance, surrendering ourselves to His teaching and transforming work.

The Holy Spirit does not only empower personal holiness but also our witness to the world. Our moral lives are part of our gospel testimony, as Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). In a dark world, God calls His people to “…let your light shine before others…,” not to glorify themselves, but as witnesses who, by their visible faith, point others to the Savior.

Jesus’ words challenge every Christian to live visibly, faithfully, and fruitfully. When we do, the result is not only a better world, but God being glorified by those who come to know Him through the light they see in us.