ously, so that there is a well-used channel of communication. We take all things to God in prayer — and make no decision without prayer. “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not to men, know ing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:24). For us as believers in Jesus Christ, God Himself is at the center of our ethics, not man, not self. It is not a question, then, in any situation, what shall I do that will please myself, or please men, but what will please God ? The weakness of modern ethics, the so-called new morality, is that it moves God away from the center to the periphery of life, and makes everything man - centered. In t h e words of Plato, “Man is the measure of all things.” “Not so,” cries the Christian, “Christ is the center of all things. We must measure our selves by Him. In all things He must have pre-eminence.” Here is a problem for our homes, for there our children first learn what is right and wrong, and why some things are right, and why some things are wrong. They will not be satisfied with simply the word of their parents — yes, at first, but not as they get into their teens. They want to know why is stealing wrong? why is pre-marital sex wrong? why is cheating wrong? Are you pre pared to tell them? Yes, there are rules of life, and like the Ten Com mandments, they begin with God. This is basically why we lead our children and youth to know God per sonally, not to obey certain rules — but to know God, to love the Lord, and thus to make it their ambition to please Him. Love God . . . and then you will want to be obedient to His will. Law by itself is inflexibly rigid. Love by itself is sheer sentimental ism. Law and love bring the individ ual into perfect harmony with the will of God. Let love rule, and let God be the one who rules through love.
unto it: love thy neighbor as thy self.” Then he went on to say that on these two commandments —- the commandments to love God and to love men — hang all the law and the prophets. Now, modem ethics, called situa tion ethics, which is the basis of the so-called new morality, lays heavy emphasis on the second of these commandments: love thy neighbor. Love is the only absolute. There are no legal absolutes. Love is the only thing that has value in itself. Suppose we ask the question, “Is it right to steal?” God’s Word says, “thou shalt not steal.” That’s an ab solute command. The situation ethic- ist, however, puts that aside and de clares there can be no absolutes. It answers, “It all depends. Anything can be right or wrong according to the situation. If love says it is right, then stealing is right. Never mind the command of God. That is not absolute. Do what love requires in any given situation.” But, we reply, is that really love? Do we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind when we set aside the law of God? Certainly not! for when we love the Lord, we wel come His Word, we delight to obey Him. “To obey is better than sacri fice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (I Sam. 15:22). This word of God given through Samuel to Saul is still true. Love requires obedience. Yes, love is supreme. We agree. But we cannot set aside the law of God, for our love is so inadequate, so defective, and at times rather selfish, and hence we need the revealed law of God to provide the content of love. What can we do in ethical situations where decisions have to be made? We can know the Word of God, know what God requires. We hide God’s Word in our hearts so that we do not sin against Him. God’s Word is a vital factor in our ethical deci sions. Our high view of Scripture is the basis for our high ethical standard. We can take prayer seri
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