It's not that we have been discussing it a lot as a group, but I've really been thinking of morality lately. Why do we believe what is right is good and what is wrong is bad? Who decides what's right and what's wrong? Sure the Bible is our guideline, but the Bible doesn't answer all my questions. The Word says "don't get drunk". Okay...fine, so is it wrong for me to go out with my friends and drink a bit? When it comes to physical relationships, how far is too far? It's not like I'm beating myself up or losing my mind about these sorts of questions, I've moved on. I want to know... why be moral? Why DO good? So I can BE good? Who cares about being a GOOD person? This life is fleeting.

I've been reading a few books lately and the authors have shed some light on the reason for morality.

...The truth is, we all want morality. We know morals will make us better people, and we even feel a kind of nobility when we subscribe to and defend a code...Lately, however I have been thinking of morality in less conceptual terms, less as a system of rules and regulations and more as a concept very beautiful and alive...The reason I have been feeling this way is not because morality gives us boundaries or because it helps us live clean lives, though morality does these things, but rather because, in some mysterious way, morality pleases God...The motive is love, love of God...

-Donald Miller, Searching For God Knows What

...When we are faced with alternatives and a choice of ways confronts us, the question is not: Is this good or evil? Is this helpful or hurtful? No, the question we must ask ourselves is: Is it of this world, or of God? For since there is only this one conflict in the universe, then whenever two conflicting courses lie open to us, the choice at issue is never a lesser one than: God...or Satan?...

-Watchman Nee, Love not the World

Love. Love. Love. It seems like it's the answer to all my questions. Who is God? Love. What should I do with my life? Love. Why be moral? Love. Millar suggests that morality shouldn't be a "system of rules and regulations" but rather a way to show the Lord our love for Him and Nee encourages me to choose the course that proves my love for the Lord rather than the one that satisfies my sinful desires.  

I'm pretty satisfied with my answer, Love. Now to apply this to specifics...?