The Ought Factor

For the second time during my life, I received a notice for Jury Duty. Some twenty years ago, the first time I had this duty, I was not picked. The trial was a lawsuit involving an accident. If my memory is okay, it was concerning an automobile accident. The lawyers asked if anyone had a question concerning the upcoming trial. I asked if there was any alcohol involved in this accident. The lawyer responded, “Why do you ask?” I said that I had strong views concerning the use of alcohol. I was not picked! I felt that to be fair, I should ask this question, since it was not brought up during the exchanges with those of us who were called to be jurors.

Now that I am very close to 83-years-old, I wonder whether I will be picked or released from this duty. I know I am not as sharp as I used to be. Sometimes, I have trouble remembering names, and my oral explaining is more difficult than it was years ago. With that said, I have a very good understanding of what is right or wrong. Let’s call one’s understanding of what is right or wrong, the ought factor. “Ought” could be defined as something you should do. Further it is “used to indicate duty or correctness, typically when criticizing someone’s actions as they ought to respect the law.”

“It is not what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason and justice tell me I ought to do.” (Edmund Burke, 1729-1797)

There Is a God-Given
Universal Code of Ethics and Morals

Sadly, many of the masses do not accept the biblical teaching of a code of ethics. For those of us who are Christians and accept the Bible as the Word of God and respect its authority, we are blessed when we practice that which is right. Currently, we live in a terrible, godless era. Who would deny the facts of a worldwide, sinful time?

But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (1 Peter 3:14-17 KJV)

From man’s creation ethics and morals have been an important part of his personal and social life. One of the strongest evidences for God from within man is his ought factor, which causes man to ask thoughtful questions about what he should or should not do. (Waldron)

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. (Ecclesiastes 7:29)

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. (Isaiah 24:5)