Introduction
The fundamental role of religious conviction in public life has triggered endless controversy in recent days. Religious people believe that trusting in God is vital for morality. Conversely, atheists and worldly humanists oppose this and instead insist that there is a substitute foundation for moral conduct. According to Romans 1: 32, even agnostics and nonbelievers recognize moral values. However, in 1 John 1:7-10, those who declare to be without sin only deceive themselves because the moral truth is not within them.
Thesis Statement: Does morality require obedience to God?
In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham and several key lessons are observed. In verse one, Abraham's readiness to comply with the will of God proves that morality requires obedience to God. Abraham willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac as a burnt sacrifice proved his fear, devotion, and trust in God (Genesis 22.3). Obedience to God is the key to attaining life blessings. In verse 17, God promised to bless Abraham and make his descendants as many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Abraham in this context can be viewed in different dimensions. First, the test given to Abraham by God was not to tempt him to sin as Satan does to people. As the scriptures reveal, God tempts no man. Second, had Abraham laid a hand on Isaac, it would not count as a sin in him, given that it was a direct command by God. Third, the temptation given to Abraham was intended to test his faith, fear, obedience to commands, and love to God.
Abraham of Genesis 22 is a man of obedience. Abraham as Prometheus is a man of morality. The understanding of morality is a subject of great value in today's society. Moral principles lacking moral authority do not mean much. It is always important to believe the very nature of moral commitment. An unconditional standard that comes without exclusions, one that binds every human, must be founded on trustworthiness to a person greater who deserves the admiration. God meets such description. The modern society is in a cultural decline because of lack of a reliable role model. Many view their leaders as role models based on what they have achieved and leadership skills. From a historical perspective, it clear that some of the famous leaders such as Hitler, Mao and, Stalin have been considered heroes and role models. Even other people view their educators, parents, and the most prominent people running business corporations as their role models. The most important question herein is who is a good role model. Humanity today must emulate the virtue of obedience as desired by God. In this case, we should start taking God seriously in all aspects of our life, in education, parenting, and public leadership. Our public life should be dominated by hearing more about God and not less. This is an implication that we need parents, business corporations, educations, and leaders who know God and are enthusiastic to support his absolute principles in opposition to material possessions. Obedience to God is the key to making a good role model. It is not ethical to emulate the virtue of disobedience based on morality similar to John Adams, Martin Luther, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, John Adams, Malcolm X, and Nelson Mandela. The world is a multicultural place that has numerous secular and religious traditions. In every civilized society, whether secular or religious, there exists the recognition of the basic moral decencies, for instance, kindness, honesty, telling the truth, respect for human rights. The above-mentioned political leaders and reformers had a vital influence on their communities. However, it is worth noting that they had difficulties at some points in their lives because of breaking the rules in the name of morality conduct. A morally nurtured person understands that disobedience is not a virtue that should be tolerated and as such should not be emulated by the young persons. Authentic moral wakefulness should be developed in a character to enable ethical reasoning and encourage obedience among all leaders, whether religious or political.
Conclusion
Does morality require obedience from God? Abraham test genuinely marked him as an obedient and fearful person to God. Unquestionably, moral standards are rather weird because we cannot hear them, feel them, and see them. However, it is clear that they exist. Our society has neglected obedience to God and instead, it has focused on worldly things that bring about disobedience, conflict, wars, diseases, hatred, among others. Ethics needs God because He is the creator of humans and the universe. The movie Frailty depicts an illustration of morality and immorality and reaction to God's commands. At its climax, a man claims to have been commanded by God to destroy demons (Frailty). There is a lot of deception in the movie since the killing is performed at night instead of daylight. It is unethical for humans to disobey the truth and instead perform things of their interests. A lot is required for one to become good. It is evident in Ephesians 2:8-10 that by grace we are saved through faith and given a new heart.
Works Cited
Canadian Bible Society. The Bible: The Old and New Testaments: King James Version. Canadian Bible Society, 2009.
Frailty. Dir. Bill Paxton. Prod. David Kirschner. David Kirschner Productions, 2001.
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