Christians today live in an era in which people no longer embrace the concepts of authority and morality. The world presumes that we should answer to no one and live to please ourselves. Christians have a different attitude. We embrace authority and morality and try to live for others rather than ourselves.
As Christians we live under the authority of God. He gives our lives a clear sense of morality and the ability to determine what is right from wrong. This morality sets a standard for our lives that others will hold us to, even if they don’t share our beliefs.
What is moral authority? Moral authority is synonymous with a lifestyle of integrity. The apostle Paul instructed us on how to live this way. He tells us to be “imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1). He goes on, in Ephesians, to give us a blueprint on how to live with integrity. To do this we must walk in love, walk in light, and walk in wisdom. If we do, we will gain moral authority.
WALK IN LOVE
We walk in a love that God first showed us, a selfless love grounded in action, not just emotion. Walking in love means that we should be a people who love others as God loves us. We love others, not because of what they can give us, but because God created them and values them. Instead of coveting what they have, we value them for who they are. We shouldn’t bad-mouth other people, or make jokes about them to their face or behind their backs. If we intentionally, or unintentionally, hurt others, our behavior undermines our moral authority.
Paul also addresses our “romantic” relationships. We are to trade “filthiness” and “fornication”, for an attitude of respect and purity in both our speech and action. Sexual impurity is devoid of love because it devalues the spiritual worth of those it affects. Our desire to imitate God is our motivation for walking in love.
WALK IN LIGHT
Paul also tells us to walk in light. As children of God we have been made new by the blood of Christ. We have been shown a new way to live, which includes abandoning the darkness of our old behavior for a new life filled with the Holy Spirit. A life led by the Spirit is a life full of “goodness, righteousness, and truth.” (Ephesians 5:9). Our new lifestyle pleases God and constructs moral authority in us.
Genuine Christian people are honest and open. We don’t do things in secret that we would not do in public. Who we are is who want others to see. This is integrity.
We delight in what is good and true and work to please God in every aspect of our lives. To learn how this is done, we devote time to reading the Bible and to prayer. Walking in the light takes a conscious effort and is drastically different from walking in the darkness of the world.
WALK IN WISDOM
For Paul, walking in wisdom means “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16). Moral authority was rare in Paul’s day too.
Where do we find wisdom? Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Wisdom comes by learning Godly principles and
applying them in every aspect of life. Our wisdom is what inspires our conviction to walk in love and light. Fear of the Lord breeds respect and awe, which in turn brings a desire to please Him. God’s word equips us for pleasing him. Walking in wisdom means walking with God.
Jesus exemplified a life of integrity. He loves us without hesitation and despite our sinful nature. Jesus loves all people to the point of His death on the cross in order to bring salvation to those who follow him. His loving passion for the church is the soil from which the church grows her own loving passion for others.
Jesus lived a life free of hypocrisy and consumed with righteousness and wisdom, which He shared with all who would listen. Our lives can never equal his in perfection, but through the forgiveness and grace of God, we can be His imitators.
We are called to a new life in Christ. To accept Him is to commit to a lifestyle of integrity. Having moral authority is not a choice but a byproduct of a life devoted to Christ. If we lack integrity we can’t be His witness, but if we walk in faith and love, others will see our behavior as compelling examples. That is moral authority.
Living a life of integrity is not easy. Achieving this goal takes time and dedication to God’s word and to prayer. But God is faithful to us, and His Spirit encourages us and guides us under His authority. This brings us fulfillment in this present age and an inheritance in heaven.
Jenny Price is a graduate of Boise State University (Biology Degree), a regular at the Campus Ministry at Boise State, and a member of the Boise Church of Christ.
