The Moral Imperative

Introduction

What is our moral obligation, and where does it come from? In this blog, I aim to explore why human beings recognize moral obligations and examine how Scripture explains both natural moral awareness and divinely revealed moral duty. Above all, I aim to demonstrate that moral authority ultimately derives from God.

If you use your conscience as your moral imperative, beware. Letting your conscience be your guide is not a bad thing if your conscience is seared by the Word of God through the renewing of your mind. The closer your relationship with God, the more you can trust your conscience. However, even this is not an absolute. If only God could dictate morality and the true imperative lies with Him, you will never achieve your goal until you are with Him in eternity.

The foundational scriptures for this article are based on:

Micah 6:8 – “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” ESV

Romans 1:19-20 “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” ESV

Definition

A working definition of the moral imperative from a natural (worldly) perspective is this: an obligation that compels a person to act in a certain way, grounded in what is perceived to be right or wrong. The weakness in this definition lies in its foundation. By what standard are these moral judgments perceived? Is it the human conscience, cultural tradition, hearsay, religion, social media, or the shifting consensus of culture—what “everyone” decides is good? Each of these sources is ultimately subjective and unstable. Margaret Mead’s book, Coming of Age in Samoa, is an excellent example of moral imperatives based on culture. 

For the follower of Jesus Christ, however, moral obligation cannot rest on such foundations. As those who stand apart from the world’s systems and values, our moral imperative must be rooted in something far more certain: the very nature and will of God. True morality is not determined by human opinion but is a reflection of God’s character, revealed through Scripture and made known to us by His Spirit.

From the Beginning

God is the source of all moral law. Moral truth is not something external to Him, nor does He merely issue moral commands as rules to be followed. Rather, morality is rooted in God’s very nature and character. He is the standard by which all righteousness is measured.

“Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.” Psalm 119:137 (ESV)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 (ESV)

From the beginning, humanity was created in God’s image, designed to reflect His character—including His moral nature.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26–27 (ESV)

Scripture further teaches that human beings possess an intrinsic awareness of God’s moral standard. Even apart from the written Law, people know—at least in part—what is right and wrong.

“For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves… They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness.” Romans 2:14–15 (ESV)

Yet, although this moral awareness is present within every person, it may be ignored, suppressed, or left unexplored. This can result from ignorance, lack of instruction, or willful rejection of God’s truth. Scripture describes such rejection soberly:

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1, ESV).

The Natural (Worldly) Moral Imperative

Human laws attempt to legislate morality, yet history consistently shows that this effort falls short. Scripture affirms that the law has a purpose—it serves as a tutor that leads us to Christ, as seen in the Ten Commandments.

“So then, the law was our guardian (tutor) until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian”, Galatians 3:24-25 ESV

However, the law possesses limited power when confronted with unrighteousness. It can reveal sin, but it cannot remove it. Without the removal of sin, any moral imperative rooted solely in human effort is destined to fail.

Christianity teaches that sin was decisively dealt with at the Cross. A righteous and enduring moral imperative emerges not through legislation, but through substitution and transformation. Christ “became sin” on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21), and we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1–2), resulting in Christlike virtue expressed in daily conduct.

In the natural realm, the morality of a person without God is expressed through conscience, social norms, and shared moral instincts. These are grounded in concepts such as fairness, honesty, human justice, and compassion. The conscience functions as an internal witness to right and wrong.

“They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.” Romans 2:15 (ESV)

Yet conscience has serious limitations. Because of sin, it is fallen and corruptible. It can be weakened, distorted, or even seared. As such, conscience can never fully define righteousness nor redeem humanity.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV)

“Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared.” 1 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)

Throughout history, mankind has attempted to codify morality through laws, philosophies, and ethical systems that reflect partial truth. These systems tend to emphasize outward behavior rather than inward transformation.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)

“We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” Isaiah 64:6 (ESV)

The natural moral imperative is often defined by conscience. Allowing one’s conscience to guide behavior is not inherently wrong—if that conscience is shaped and renewed by the Word of God (see above). This raises an essential question: by what standard do we determine what is “right” or “wrong”? Are we acting according to personal preference, cultural consensus, or divine truth?

In the natural state, humanity tends to do what it desires. Choice is elevated above obedience. If something feels good, seems harmless, and satisfies personal will, why not pursue it? In the natural mind, we prefer to command rather than obey. While there are exceptions, this tendency broadly characterizes fallen human nature.

When we believe we can fully explain reality, we assume we can control it. And when we control, we command. Tragically, this mindset often infiltrates the prayers of believers. Even in prayer, there is a tendency to issue commands rather than to draw near, wait on the Lord, and submit to His will.

Eventually, it becomes evident that humanity cannot be truly good apart from help from an authority higher than itself. That help arrives when we acknowledge that God exists and that He created us for good.

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31 (ESV)

Here lies a profound and thought-provoking truth. Scripture records that God declared all His works “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Yet, notably, the text does not record this declaration being spoken directly over man himself. One possible explanation is that, in His foreknowledge, God knew of humanity’s coming fall and the devastation sin would bring to both mankind and creation.

God created all things for humanity’s benefit and stewardship, and in their original state, they were indeed “very good.” However, when man fell into sin, creation itself was subjected to the consequences of that fall. The rupture was twofold: man’s relationship with God was broken, and man’s relationship with creation was distorted. What was once harmonious became fractured, awaiting redemption.

“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” Romans 8:20–23 (ESV)

The moral imperative of good versus evil was fully realized at the fall of man. Since that moment, all creation has been groaning alongside humanity, awaiting the final defeat of the instigator of this devastation.

“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison… and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:7–10 (ESV)

The Supernatural (Divine) Moral Imperative

In the beginning, humanity was given dominion over God’s creation (Genesis 1:26–28). That dominion was forfeited through Adam’s disobedience. Ever since, mankind has sought to reclaim what was lost—but by natural means alone. This effort is futile. What was lost through spiritual rebellion cannot be restored through human ingenuity or worldly power.

In the supernatural realm, our true nature is to obey. Paradoxically, it is through obedience that we receive authority and power. This principle cannot be grasped by natural reasoning, because it runs contrary to the world’s understanding of power. In the natural order, power is derived from knowledge, position, or force. In the supernatural order, true power—divine power—comes from the Holy Spirit, and it is released only through obedience (Acts 1:8; John 14:15–17).

Example: Swift Justice as a Moral Imperative

As a university student, I took courses in Criminology and Delinquency. Few subjects provoked more heated debate than crime deterrence through incarceration and capital punishment. Consider, for a moment, what our judicial system—and our society—might look like if justice were truly swift. Imagine sentences of incarceration, fines, or even capital punishment being carried out immediately, within twenty-four hours when possible. Personally, I believe the crime rate would drop dramatically. Scripture itself speaks to this principle of “swift justice.”

“Then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.” Isaiah 16:5 (ESV)

Today, crimes are committed, court dates are set, and sentences are delayed through prolonged appeals and procedural complexities. The more heinous the crime—such as murder, rape, etc.—the longer the process tends to take. A sentence may be handed down, yet years can pass before it is carried out. Even then, it is often executed with hesitation, caution, and public protest. Justice, in such cases, is anything but swift. All of this is justified under the banner of being “fair” and “right.” In this climate, “Do not judge” has become one of the most misused passages in Scripture. “Never judge” has turned into the slogan of the unrighteous, while laissez-faire has become the chant of the guilty.

I urge you to reflect on this carefully—setting aside false compassion, distorted notions of fairness, and the misguided philosophies amplified by social media. God’s justice is absolute. With Him, “yes” is yes and “no” is no (Matthew 5:37). There is no middle ground, no gray area. Such ambiguity serves only as a refuge for a guilty conscience. For further affirmation of this principle, I encourage you to read my paper on biblical absolutes: Click here. 

Let’s Make it Simple

Obedience Only

The only way mankind can achieve Righteous Moral Imperative is through obedience to a righteous God. It cannot be earned; it can only be empowered.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:26-27

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, Titus 2:11-12

Conclusion

When we examine moral imperatives in light of today’s cultures around the world, especially our governments, we are confronted with a profound moral collapse—a true train wreck that reflects humanity’s departure from God’s truth.

Adam was created innocent, but innocence alone is not morality. His innocence was meant to be formed into a moral character through the choices he would freely make. At times, we make poor choices, and while those choices may be wrong, the act of learning itself is part of moral formation. Without failure, there is no growth. The danger arises when we assume that everything we do is right; then we risk becoming a bully, a fool, or both (see Fools and Bullies: Click here) 

Jesus does not merely save people from hell; He creates an entirely new moral people. This was God’s original intent in the creation of Adam. Adam chose wrongly, but through the redemptive work of Christ’s atonement, we are empowered to choose rightly—first by choosing to follow Him, and then through the renewing work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit renews our minds and imparts holiness, calling us to be holy as He is holy.

The true moral imperative points humanity toward God but can never replace Him. The supernatural moral imperative flows from a living relationship with Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Morality, therefore, is not self-generated; it is God-ordained, God-empowered, and God-glorifying—expressed in justification, sanctification, and ultimately glorification.

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
—Romans 11:36 (ESV)

Enough Said

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV