How should we live?
What are the normative values for human life?
Maybe we work from the basis of "what seems to work best" or maybe we feel that we have access to some perfect system of scientific/metaphysical morality.
Whatever.
But, HOW are we going to live the right way?
Where do we find the power to live according to the best way?
Most of us know that we do not do what we know we should do.
We all too often do things that we know are bad for us - things that actually harm us.
Yet... we cannot stop!
Yes, maybe we get control in one area of life,
but when we consider life as a whole,
we fall short of what we ought to be...
we fall into things that we ought not do.
It is sort of interesting to discuss different systems of "right and wrong" - but much more important is how to get the power/transformation that enables us to actually, practically live the best way.
We should love others as we love ourselves.
Do we do that?
We should love & help our neighbours.
Do we do that?
Those who are self-sacrificial are always seen as much better than those who are selfish.
How do we live?
Jesus of Nazareth said that we live according to what we are.
If we are a good tree - then we produce good fruit.
If we are a bad tree - then we produce bad fruit.
Jesus of Nazareth also said that the natural human heart is messed up - "from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cursing. That’s what pollutes us". (Matthew 15:19-20).
If we are still like that, then it doesn't matter what kind of ethical systems we dream up, we will always fall short of what we are really supposed to be - we will always fail to be what we know we should be.
How can we get a new heart?
How can we cut off our old human life? (what the Bible calls circumcision of the heart)
How can we get a new kind of human life inside us?
John 1:12-13.
"To those who trust in the Name of Jesus — God gave to them the power/authority to become children of God. They could be born again - not of blood, nor of the desire of human flesh, nor of the will of a husband, but of God."