Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8240 ethics  »  8245 ethics, incentives towards

God's ethical demands are reinforced by a variety of sanctions and incentives.

Sanctions promoting ethical behaviour

The authorities

Romans 13:3-4 See also Deuteronomy 16:18; Deuteronomy 17:11-12; Deuteronomy 25:1; Psalm 82:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14

God treats people as they treat others

Matthew 6:14-15 See also 2 Samuel 12:9-10; Matthew 5:7; Matthew 7:2; Matthew 18:35; James 2:13

Unethical behaviour renders worship unacceptable

Isaiah 58:4 See also Isaiah 1:13-15; Ezekiel 33:31; Zechariah 7:5,9-10; Matthew 23:23 pp Luke 11:42; Titus 1:16

The withdrawal of God's fellowship

Isaiah 59:2 See also Psalm 51:11; Psalm 66:18; Hosea 5:6; Micah 3:4; Ephesians 4:30

God's judgment

Galatians 6:8 See also Deuteronomy 28:15; Isaiah 1:23-24; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Colossians 3:5-6; Hebrews 12:14

Incentives to correct ethical behaviour

A new life in Christ

Ephesians 5:8 See also Romans 6:2,13; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Colossians 3:9-10

God's goodness and love

Ephesians 5:1-2 See also Exodus 20:2; Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 8:8-9; Titus 2:14; 1 John 3:16

Pleasing God

Hebrews 13:16 See also 2 Corinthians 5:9; Colossians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Thessalonians 4:1; 1 John 3:22

True worship is made possible

Psalm 24:3-4 See also Proverbs 21:3; Hosea 6:6; Isaiah 58:6-7; Mark 12:33; James 1:27

God's fellowship

John 14:23 See also Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Psalm 15:1-5; Revelation 21:7

God's blessing

Deuteronomy 16:20 See also Deuteronomy 28:2; Psalm 1:3; Psalm 84:11; Isaiah 56:1-2; Isaiah 58:9-14; Matthew 6:18

Future reward

Luke 14:13-14 See also Matthew 10:42 pp Mark 9:41; Matthew 25:34-36; Luke 6:35; Romans 2:10; Colossians 3:24; Revelation 22:12

See also

5498  reward
7922  fellowship with God
8460  pleasing God
8622  worship
9210  judgment, God's