When it comes to knowing right from wrong the big question is can we ever know for sure if there are absolute standards for determining this or are right and wrong relative and to be determined by each individual for themselves. Fortunately for the Christian we are not left in the dark on this question because God has given us His holy word, the Bible, as our perfect guide to knowing his absolute standards for right and wrong.
Francis Schaeffer provides insight on this whole issue when he stated: “The moral absolutes rest upon God’s character. The moral commands He has given to men are an expression of His character. Men as created in His image are to live by choice on the basis of what God is. The standards of morality are determined by what conforms to His character, while those things which do not conform are immoral.”1
Since God created the universe, is always good, and His nature and character are perfect, we should expect His standards of morality to be absolutely trustworthy for all people and for all ages. I don’t know about you but I am so grateful that we can know right from wrong by simply reading the Bible and trusting God to never lead us astray. While the world’s standards on morality often depend on popular opinion, expediency, and what feels good, we as Christians base our morality on the unerring word of God. As a result our issue as believers is not knowing right from wrong, but are we willing to conform to God’s perfect standards and obey his commandments to do right and shun wrong.
William Penn also provides us with his sage advice when he remarked: “Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.”2
In a world where morality is relative, where wrong is often considered right, and where sin abounds, it is so comforting to have a book like the Bible which always has our best interests at heart and gives us timeless advice that when followed will bring great peace and joy to our hearts and greatly please our Lord!