Is There Such a Thing as Moral Heroism?

It is evident from Scripture that there are those things we are commanded to engage in and abstain from . We know that there are clear Scriptural obligations. Are there acts of love that go above and beyond? Since Scripture is our rule for life, in belief and duty, should there be a commandment for every good deed or moral obligation? Frame writes:

"If we are obligated to do something, there will be a biblical command to that effect. If there is no biblical command , there is no obligation. Once we have obeyed all those specific commands, we might imagine, we will be right with God. So it might be possible to codify our obligations fairly concisely. But a number of incidents recorded in the Bible discourage such a project."

He gives the following examples of events in Scripture that would discourage such a "project".

1. The story found in 2 Samuel 23:13-17. King David longs for water from the well of Bethlehem. David's three mighty men valiantly break through the Philistine lines to draw David the water. Frame asks:

"Were these men ethically obligated to perform this action? One looks in vain for any text of the Torah or elsewhere in Scripture that commands such a thing."

2. The example is given of the widow in Mark 12:44.

"The same question can be asked about the widow in Mark 12:44 who gave two small coins, all that she had, to the temple treasury. The law mandated only a tithe. Was she, then, performing a work of supererogation, doing more than the law requires, adding to the work of God? Or was she doing something she was not actually obligated to do?"

3. Barnabas selling his property and giving it to the church, see Acts 4:37.

4. Paul giving the gospel without charge despite the fact that he states it is his "right" to be paid by the church, 1 Corinthians 9.

Back to our original question, is there such a thing as moral heroism? Or, are the actions/good deeds aforementioned obligations? Well, in one sense God may not be asking us to do exactly what those mentioned did. On the other hand, we are obligated.

" Moral heroism is an obligation. Because overall obligation is to be like Jesus: to love as he did (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:9-12) in his most extreme sacrifice, and to serve others as he served us (Mark 10:45).

---John M. Frame Doctrine of the Christian Life (P&R 2008) 196-199

In light of Frame's reflections on love and law--

May we, as Christians look to do extraordinary and excruciating acts of love and service unto Christ; for it is our delight and our obligation.