Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8240 ethics  »  8244 ethics, and grace

Ethical conduct on the part of believers rests upon both the grace of God and human obedience.

People are unable to fulfil the law of God without divine grace

Matthew 15:19 pp Mark 7:21-22 Romans 7:14-15 See also Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 64:6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 1:21; Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22; 1 John 1:8

Ethical conduct also depends on human obedience

Deuteronomy 26:16; Philippians 2:12 See also Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 6:17; Joshua 1:8; Joshua 22:5; 1 Kings 2:3; Kings 11:38; 2 Kings 17:13; Jeremiah 7:23; Matthew 5:48; Matthew 7:21; Matthew 19:17; Romans 6:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Peter 1:5-7; Peter 3:14; 1 John 3:3

God assists believers' ethical endeavours

He enlightens their minds

Psalm 119:130 See also Deuteronomy 4:1; Psalm 119:144; Proverbs 6:23; Micah 6:8; Romans 7:7; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14

He gives them his Spirit

Galatians 5:16 See also Ezekiel 36:27; John 14:15-17; Romans 8:3-5,9,13; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2

He gives them spiritual resources

2 Peter 1:3 See also 1 Kings 8:58; Psalm 19:13; John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:11,13; Philippians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 2:18; James 4:6

God will bring believers to ethical perfection

He will deliver them from the power of sin

Romans 7:24-25 See also 1 Corinthians 1:8; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 24

He will make them like Jesus Christ

1 John 3:2 See also Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18

He is preparing them for a righteous existence

2 Peter 3:13 See also Matthew 13:41-43; Revelation 21:8,27; Revelation 22:15

See also

3233  Holy Spirit & sanctification
6020  sin
6666  grace
6744  sanctification
8206  Christlikeness
8320  perfection
8453  obedience
9160  new heavens & new earth