Moral Relativism

Who decides what is right and wrong? If we were to be presented with two different viewpoints on any given issue, which viewpoint would we accept as being genuine? Upon hearing the arguments of both sides, most of us would simply choose the side which we have most closely aligned ourselves with in the past, regardless of the arguments brought forth. On any given issue, there are those on all sides of the issue who strongly believe that their viewpoint is correct. They all have what appear to be very convincing arguments of the validity of their propositions. If all sides are so far convinced, who then is wrong? Who is right?

There are often very complex debates taking place in our nation's capitol on a myriad of subjects. Both sides passionately state their cases, and provide their reasoning and even documentation where applicable. But at the end of the day, who says which side is right, and which side is wrong? One party says, "Abortion is murder." Another, "It is a mother's right to choose." At this point, whatever your belief, or my belief may be on the matter, all we have is a matter of opinion. What are we missing? What is there that can decide which side is indeed right, and which viewpoint is clearly wrong?

The answer: absolute truth.

To a Moral Relativist, there is no such thing as absolute truth. "Moral relativism is the view that ethical standards, morality, and positions of right or wrong are,,,subject to a person's individual choice. We can all decide what is right for ourselves. You decide what's right for you, and I'll decide what's right for me. Moral relativism says, 'It's true for me, if I believe it.'" (From "Moral Relativism - What's It All About?" - http://www.moral-relativism.com/) "According to moral relativism, there is no goodness or badness… An act may thus be good for one person but bad for another, or good in one cultural setting but bad in another, but cannot be either good or bad full stop." (From http://www.moralrelativism.info/) "Moral relativists hold that no universal standard exists by which to assess an ethical proposition's truth. In moral relativism there are no absolute, concrete rights and wrongs. Rather, intrinsic ethical judgments exist as abstract, differing for each perception of an ethical outlook." (From http://www.wikipedia.com/) All that Moral Relativism can produce is "ethical judgments" that differ for each person!

We see this philosophy sweeping through our country. There are many things that we see that we know are wrong, and we even say so. But, by what authority do we conclude this? There must be some kind of absolute standard that can apply to each and every man, woman and child. Or else, all we have is different opinions. THAT, is a frightening prospect. We already see some of the results of this kind of thinking (abortion, pornography, same-sex marriage, etc...).

There is only 0ne absolute standard: it is the Word of God. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth OF GOD." (Matthew 4:4) As our Creator, God has the sole right and authority to determine what is right and wrong. Everyone of us will stand before Him one day, and give an account for our lives. We will be held responsible according to God's standard for right and wrong. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)

The saved will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (I Cor 3:11-15)

And the lost will stand before the Great White Throne Judgment.
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
(Revelation 20:11-15)

There is one standard that we are to live by, and that is the same standard that we will be judged by one day. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) Man will be judged according to God's standard on that day, not their own standards!