Do you have a sense of ought? Webster defines the word “ought” in part as, “obligation or duty: as, he ought to pay his debts.” I must admit I have a strong sense of ought. I do not recognize this in a bragging way or anything like that. This feeling of ought, I believe, comes from one’s upbringing. Sadly, too many folks have not been brought up or raised in any sense of the meaning of “ought.” Ought or obligation and duty contains the idea of rightness and not wrongness. With our upbringing, all of us choose to accept or reject what he or she has been taught. We are all free moral agents with the power to choose right or wrong. It is very good to have this sense of doing and acting right.
As an illustration, in our upbringing, one could be taught that it is right to hate a certain race of humans. As one matures, he or she learns that they were wrong and therefore changes one’s past view. The apostle Paul wrote, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Corinthians 13:11). Note for a further illustration, it is reported that one robbed and severely beat up an old couple. We are repulsed and disgusted by this action. Why? We know that this is not right. Our thought process, our reasoning and logic are right. Oughtness is triumphant! The conscience must always be in tune with rightness. Unfortunately, too many do not have this wisdom of right and wrong. The lack of ought is sinful.
“A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian…and most of all, his family ought to know.” (Dwight L. Moody)
A Right Standard Is Necessary
in Order for Ought to Prevail
Our nation, the USA, is founded on principles contained in the Bible, both Old and New testaments. This is our heritage! Because of internal and external evidence in the Word of God, the Bible, I know this must be our true standard. Oughtness, that which is right and good, is contained in the Word of God!
Light and truth will come from our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have light of life” (John 8:12). He also said, “…and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). “And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday” (Psalm 37:6). “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11).
Oughtness Is Fulfilled When
We Are Obedient to Our Lord
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
