Life Without God (1) Morals And Values

Is there really a God?  It's a question many people ask at various times in their lives.  Under that question for some folks is another question, "Can life continue as normal and hope to be good if we simply get rid of God and do what we want?"  What might life without God look like?

Life without God would mean there would be no morals and values - no difference between right and wrong.  In our world where lying and cheating seem commonplace, this might seem convenient not just for some criminals but for some upscale business folks as well.  However, if there are no morals and values then we also cannot condemn others for what they do and perhaps should even celebrate child abuse and terrorism.  People who engage in these activities would have every right to do what they want, value what they want, and no one would have the right to say differently.  While humans in some circumstances might debate whether "white lies" [sic] are necessary, no one condones child abuse or terrorism.  Why?  Because written into our souls from a power that transcends time and culture, are moral laws given by God.

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.  (Proverbs 14:12 NLT)

Humans are created by God to live a certain way in relationship with God and with one another and deep in our souls, we know it. We know when something is right and when something is wrong, whether it is said, done, thought, or something that is left undone that should have been done.

Fortunately, the God who gave us these moral principles around which life is built, also provides help for us when we fail to live up to them - as we inevitably will.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.  (1 John 1:8-10 NLT)

Is there really a God?  Our sense of right and wrong points in the direction that there is.  Today is a good day to consider what shapes life as we know it.

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