Why I Believe In Moral Responsibility
By: Bill Burk
In our day and time the idea of an absolute standard of morality has been removed to the realm of relativity. The “don’t judge me” crowd has just about convinced the masses that no one has the right to say anything is either right or wrong, good or bad, godly or ungodly. The words of the writer of the book of Judges not only describe the time of which he wrote but of our era as well, “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). But I, for one, believe in moral responsibility. I believe that it matters how I live in the midst of my fellow man. I believe in moral responsibility because…
1. I Believe that
God Exists. The Bible, more than seeking to prove that God exists, simply states
it as fact that He does and that He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
He is the one who created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). That He is the
architect of all we presently know and experience is found everywhere in
Scripture (cf. Neh. 9:6; Ps. 33:6; Job 38:4; Ps. 33:6; Pro. 3:19; Isa. 42:5,
etc.). I believe God exists because the evidence demands that I warrant such a
conclusion (Heb. 11:1). The creation is an effect. You cannot have an effect
without a cause. The cause of the Universe is God! Just as a house must have a
builder so must creation and Jehovah did the building (Heb. 3:4). Just look
around, who could honestly deny it (Rom. 1:20)? The universe screams that it was
designed. You cannot have a design without a designer—Therefore, the only
explanation is that God fashioned and formed it all. French Philosopher Jean
Paul Sartre stated, “Everything indeed is permitted if God does not exist.” I
believe God is, therefore I must believe in moral responsibility.
2. I Believe that God has Spoken. The Bible claims to be inspired (2 Tim.
3:16,17; 2 Pet. 1:21; Jer. 1:9, etc.). Its unity, scientific foreknowledge,
predictive prophecy, flawless accuracy and moral beauty force me to conclude
that it is the work of God. And in God’s book He has obligated me to behave
responsibly in the moral realm (Micah 6:8; John 13; 34,35; Mark 12:30,31).
Therefore, if I am going to please Him I must carry out His will in my life (1
John 5:3).
3. I Believe that God will Judge me. One day I will stand in presence of God and
judged for the deeds done in the body (2 Cor. 5:10). Whether or not I was
morally responsible will be key. Since God will “render to
each one according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:6), I better make sure that my
deeds are upright, honest and moral. If I want to hear the comforting words,
“Enter in you good and faithful servant…” (Mat.
25:21,23), rather than, “I never knew you, depart from me,
you who practice lawlessness” (Mat. 7:23), then I better take my moral
responsibility seriously.
Dear reader, do you believe in moral responsibility? Don’t be duped by the world. There is an absolute standard of truth we can know and we must live by (John 8:32; 17:17). Determine that you will responsibly live according to God’s will all the days of your life. I believe in moral responsibility, one day, everyone will (Rev. 20: 11-15). Accept it now, if your responsible you will.