How Unique You Are! -Moral Values

Many recognize the highest form of beauty to be find deeds. For instance, being loyal to  principles in the face of persecution, acting unselfishly to relieve other's suffering, and forgiving someone who hurt us are actions that appeal to the moral sense of thinking people everywhere.  This is the kind of beauty mentioned in the ancient Biblical proverb: "The insight of a man certainly slows his anger, and it is beauty on his part to pass over transgression." Or as another proverb observes:  "The desirable thing in earthling man is his loving-kindness."  Meaning true beauty should  comes from within oneself, not on the outside. -Proverbs 19:11, 22. 

We all know that some people, and even groups ignore or trample on elevated morals, but the majority do not.  From what source do the moral values found in virtually all areas and in all periods come?  If there is no Source of morality, no Creator, did right and wrong simply originate with people, human society? (No!) Consider an example:  Most individuals and groups hold murder to be wrong.  But one could ask, 'Wrong in comparison to what?'  Obviously there is some sense of morality that underlies human society in general and that has been incorporated into the laws of many lands. What is the source of this standard of morality?  Could it not be an intelligent Creator who has moral values and who place the faculty of conscience, or ethical sense, in humans? -Compare Romans 2:14, 15.  

You Can Contemplate the Future and Plan for It

Another facet of human consciousness is our ability to consider the future.  When asked whether humans have traits that distinguish them from animals, Professor Richard Dawkins acknowledged that man has, indeed, unique qualities. After mentioning "the ability to plan ahead using conscious, imagine foresight," Dawkins added:  "Short-term benefit has always been the only thing that counts in evolution; long-term benefit has never counted. It has never been possible for something to evolve in spite of being bad for the immediate short-term good of the individual.  For the first time ever, it's possible for at least some people to say,  'Forget about the fact that you can make a short-term profit by chopping down this forest; what about the long-term benefit?  Now I think that's genuinely new and unique."

Other researchers confirm that humans' ability for conscious, long-term planning is without parallel. Neurophysiologist William H. Calvin notes:  "Aside from hormonally triggered  preparations for winter and mating, animals exhibit surprisingly little evidence of planning more than a few minutes  ahead."  Animals may store food before a cold season, but they do not think things through and plan. By contrast, humans consider the future, even the distant future.  Some scientists contemplate what may happen to the universe billions of  years hence.  Did you ever wonder why man-so different from animals-is able to think about the future and lay out plans?

The Bible says of humans:  "Even time indefinite  [the Creator] has put in their heart."  The Revised Standard Version renders it:  "He has put eternity into man's mind."  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)  We use this distinctive ability daily, even in as common as an act as glancing in a mirror and thinking what  our appearance will be in 10 or 20 years.  And we are confirming what Ecclesiastes 3:11 says when we give even passing thought to such concepts as the infinity of  time and space.  The mere fact that we have this ability harmonizes with the comment that a Creator has put "eternity into man's mind."

Next time: How Unique You Are! Drawn to a Creator

From the book Is There a Creator That Cares About You?