Our experiences in our lives, from birth to death, define us. How we react to circumstances, whether they are bad or good; the people we associate ourselves with, our chosen profession(s), our choice of the type of person we date and marry, how we dedicate ourselves to our marriage and family, how we raise our children; all of these things define and demonstrate our character or lack of it.
Our society has become one that not only accepts situational ethics, it embraces this concept. Our public school systems have indoctrinated a generation of our children in this as well. Serious issues will arise (and we are seeing them today) as a result of this. Is this some mistake? Of course it is not. Situational ethics is a theory of ethics according to which moral rules are not absolutely binding but may be modified in the light of specific situations.
Make no mistake about it: the actions that we today are being required to take,and the judgments
that those actions require on our part, are becoming increasingly complex and far reaching in both their outcomes and their implications. A whole host of problems now sits at our doorstep, each of which awaits rational, reasonable, sound solution regarding how we ought to act in a particular situation. Shall we countenance abortion? Shall we encourage surrogate motherhood? Shall we recommend euthanasia? Shall we embrace each and every level of genetic engineering (e.g., artificial insemination, etc.)? A great deal of in-depth study is needed in this area. We will not solve these problems, or even discuss them meaningfully, by relying merely on our own intuition or emotions. And in many instances the solutions offered by previous generations will provide no comfort. In may ways, the set of problems now facing us is entirely different than the set of problems facing generations long since gone.
Morals and ethics are important. Even those who disavow any belief in God, and consequently any absolute standard of morality/ethics, concede that morality and ethics are vital. The late George Gaylord Simpson, famous evolutionist of Harvard, stated for example that although “man is the result of a purposeless and materialistic process that did not have him in mind,” nonetheless “good and evil, right and wrong, concepts irrelevant in nature except from the human viewpoint, become real and pressing features of the whole cosmos as viewed by Man—the only possible way in which the cosmos can be viewed morally because morals arise only in man” (1967, p. 346, emp. added). As Wayne Jackson aptly pointed out: The existence of and need for morality are thus apparent. No sane person will argue that absolutely “anything goes.” The expressions “ought” and “ought not” are as much a part of the atheist’s vocabulary as anyone else’s. One may indeed become so insensitive that he abandons virtually all of his personal ethical obligations, but he will never ignore the lack of such in those who would abuse him! (1984, p. 320, emp. in orig.)
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If: (a) every living person must act from day to day in one way or another—and he must; (b) during
the course of our actions choices must be made—and they must, (c) the range of those choices is broadening every single day—and it is; (d) the scope of both the choices in front of us and the implications of those choices is widening—and it is; and (e) morality and ethics are important—and they are (even to those who believe in no objective, unchanging standard), then by what rule, set of rules, decision-making process, or knowledge system shall human beings determine what they ought to do or how they ought to act? How shall we come to grips with, and evaluate, these “real and pressing features” of “good and evil,right and wrong”? Stated simply, by what ethical/moral/value system shall we live and thereby justify our actions and choices? (1)
By the standards of these new "ethical" decisions, the numerous adulterous affairs my husband has had over the course of our 30 year marriage, including his adulterous partners, are fine. What is good for him might not be good for me and so forth. No, they are both damned to hell for their mockery of God's ordainment of marriage. Going to a church on a Sunday and singing a song will never relieve them of that in. Only true repentance can change that and it could take a lifetime, as many sins do. But right is right and wrong is wrong and we see in society today the amorality that has infected all parts of our lives. Those of us who do try to live according to God's will are singled out as strange or weird or "freakish" or "fanatic" because we don't go along with the rest of the world. So what?
Our churches no longer serve God. They seek environmental justice, they no longer teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, instead they have yoga classes, 12-step programs (to overcome addictions), and have entertainment instead of worship and Bible study. Instead of looking for the imminent return of Jesus Christ,they are embarking on ambitious building programs. Tell me, if one were actually LOOKING for Jesus Christ to return, would one be committing to millions of dollars in building expenses?
There is a distinct separation between physical churches and the real church, The Body of Christ. This is an indication of the society in which we live. People justify their actions by their own standards, not by a higher standard. This, however; does not relieve them of God's expectation of obedience. In the end, it is not God who sends people to damnation, it is their own choices.
People look to government instead of God for day-to-day needs. Our governments, at all levels, have taken the place of God. Hmmm, I do recall Karl Marx mentioning that in his book.
It has been said by few but in many ways that we must put our priorities in order. This begins with our families and in our homes.
There are radio and television personalities talking of restoring America. For the most part, they sound nice. But, even if the word "god" is thrown in every now and then, this will be a futile effort for this does not involve God. God has been replaced in the USA. We get into trouble and now we are going to call for help? What are we to do, SOS God?
Read I Samuel, Chapter 8 if you think for one second that God is coming to our rescue. He will never interfere with the sovereign will of a nation and this teaches that. Our God today is the same as yesterday and He will be the same tomorrow. The world has left God. Seek Him while there is still time and while He may still be found.
Try looking in His word, the Bible. I encourage anyone NOT to use any other materials. One must accept Jesus Christ as his/her risen savior and dedicate himself/herself to serving Him and doing His will. Then, avoid the Rick Warrens, the Joel Osteens, the Rob Bells and Brian McClartys of this world. Find a Bible-believing, ordinary person to answer questions you certain should and will have. You should find a study group as well. May God have mercy on our nation.
(1) From THE EFFECT OF SITUATION ETHICS UPON MORAL VALUES
by Bert Thompson, Ph.D.
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