FINAL EXAMINATION

INS 201 – PAULINE ETHICS

1. Why is it necessary that actions proceed from moral and spiritual vision?

It is necessary that actions proceed from moral and spiritual vision because the things our hearts’
desire only seen if we act on it. As the saying goes, what you do in the outside reflects who you are in
the inside. As Christians, we must show to others that Christ live in us. And they will only believe it,
if we act it in accordance of morals. Like Apostle Paul, his teachings flow from a moral vision. For
him, to be a Christian, we must do God’s will. We must live in righteousness and in purity. If we only
live day by day, without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it feels like there is an emptiness that cannot
fill by the earthly things but only God alone. That’s why, before we think of doing things, good or
bad, it must proceed from moral and spiritual vision because if not it may cause trouble to all or worst
in our Christian life. How can someone be a Christian if he cannot act morally? If he thinks only in
what will benefited him? He is not a Christian if he has no moral character. And to be one, we must
set our minds above, to God alone, his teachings must seen is in us, and it must emphasizes that we
have the spiritual capacity to accomplish spiritual goals. For example, even though we go to church
every Sunday, attend prayer meetings, read Bible every free time, and pray every time, if we didn’t
even share the gospel and what we have learned to people, to our family members, to friends and to
others it will be just a waste of time. Yes I know Jesus and His teachings but if I didn’t apply it to my
everyday life, it will be in no use. Most especially, when I will be seen doing and acting immorally.
How can someone believe that I am a new creation, since I became a Christian if there are no changes
in my life? I should walk my talk, so that whoever knew me know that being a Christian is not living
your still mess up life and to work alone, rather, transformed to a life that’s have a moral and spiritual
vision. And with that, I can now share and follow Jesus.

2. In practicing one’s profession/vocation, how does one live through these:

a. “We show we are servants of God by our pure lives, our understanding, patience, and kindness, by the
Holy Spirit, by true love, by speaking the truth, and by God's power. We use our right living to defend
ourselves against everything” (2 Cor. 6:6-8).

Based on the text from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, we will become a new creation
if we let God transformed our lives. And as Christians, we must know that this is not our home
anymore, that there is life after death, and that we will go back in Christ someday. But in order to
attain this, to experience this, we must be righteous here on Earth to see if we really deserve to receive
God’s amazing grace. As a teacher, to show to my students, co workers and friends that I am a servant
of God by living my whole life in purity, righteousness, being Godly and above all to let God
transforms me into a new creation inside and out. For example, being a teacher is very hard. Imagine
we are teaching different students with different attitudes, with different perspectives in life. How can
I do this if all of them would not cooperate with me? How can I motivate them? How can I get their
interests to listen to me? And a lot more reasons. But by God’s amazing grace and by the help of the
Holy Spirit, I know that I can be able to do what’s God’s will in my life. Above all the things I do, I
must think that I am a role model. I should ignore all the things that will destroy my image or
reputation as a teacher. I should live my life in accordance of my teachings. And in my teachings
comes understanding to all students especially the challenging ones. Even though how hard it is to
understand them, I should not give up on them because if I will, it may be the end of their bright
future. I should show kindness to them, because I have learned that even though people are smiling
 there is a whirlwind of emotions they are hiding and teenagers are mostly this way. They hide their
real emotions, their true identity by being bad to the eyes of many but the truth is that they just need a
little kindness in their life. And I must be the one to give it to them. Being patient is a thing that I as a
teacher should master. Above all, love whoever and whatever my students are. I can show that I am a
servant of God through these things. I am sure that if my students see these things in me, they will
want to be a better version of their selves. Lastly, I will use my life to defend against people that is not
in line with my principles in life.

b. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in
speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

Based on the text from the book of 1Timothy 4:12, he was young as a pastor unlike the others. Hence
it wasn’t a hindrance for him to stop what he was doing. Regardless of age, he didn’t let anyone look
down on him. Paul served Timothy as an example to us, that whatever our age is, we must like
Timothy who become a powerful positive influence for Christ in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith
and in purity. In institution where I am in, I am one of the youngsters and sometimes my principles
were not in line with them, it never been the reason to fight with them because I still respect them
rather I will make them understand what must be the right thing to do for the betterment of all. And I
want them to see that Christ is in me--- and it must show in my actions. As a teacher, I must be the
role model. And in doing so, I should be the one to set as an example to them by saying and doing
what is right like complying with the codes and ethics of a teacher even though others will say things
behind my back, it must not be the hindrance to stop me to do God’s will.

3. Education is both formative and transformative processes. How do the following words of St. Paul
affect such notion:

a. “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (Gal.
4:19).
In Galatians 4:9 stated above, Paul views himself as a mother who taught the Galatians the grace
principle of faith in the finished work of Christ. Though he experienced a lot of pains in helping them
apply the principle of grace to their Christian living, he never gave up on them until they become like
God in thoughts, deeds and in actions. Like Paul, as a teacher, I am both forming and transforming
students not just to become successful someday but to know Christ and be a follower of Him.
Educating my students means changing them—their character and their future. Through my teachings,
it must see to them that they really learned to me. Like adapting the values and morals that I always
teach to them. I will be a teacher who will help them to transform to the person God’s wants them to
be.

b. “We know that by turning everything to their good God co-operates with all those who love Him”
(Rom 8:28).

When we turn everything to God, it means everything, our failures, doubts, pains, sufferings, joy, and
happiness, all. And sometimes it is hard for us humans to be controlled. We want to do what we want
even if it is not right. But since the beginning of time, God chooses us to be with Him eternally if we
only let Him. In this text, Paul encouraged us to be hopeful with the truth that sufferings here on Earth
are not worthy compared to the glory that God is given to us. Sometimes, when I faced with
difficulties in life, I get discouraged and questioned Him. But as a Christian, I must trust on His
promises for me. That I must turn everything to Him, even though I don’t know what will happen, I
 believe that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are
called according to His purpose.

4. As a Paulinian, how does Pauline Ethics foster a different perspective in the conduct of your
profession?
Before, I sometimes forgot to inject Christ teachings to my students given that we are in a Catholic
School. My focus is always purely on the subject matter and not on the morals and ethics that they
needed to know. And I felt guilty knowing I have all the chance to share to them the gospel yet I
didn’t make a move. It made me a selfish Christian teacher. Hence, Pauline Ethics foster a different
perspective in the conduct of my teaching profession by reflecting always on what I do in my
everyday life. I needed to examine my life and my actions every day so that those mistakes that I have
done will not be repeated and to rectify them immediately. St. Paul has totally undergone major
changes in his life since the day he experienced the grace of Jesus in his life, from a really bad person
to a saint and follower of Jesus. He is one of the proofs that people will be transform to a new creation
as long as he received Jesus in his life. Like me, as a teacher of not only subject but morals, my new
perspective now is to help my students know more about God and His teachings. And to show to them
that Christ is in me by acting what is right and good to others so that they will know how to act
righteously. And lastly, I will be careful on the things that come out on my mouth because hurtful
words cannot be forgotten.