I recently came across this question in a book I am reading. It’s one of those interesting questions that sometimes receives a quick matter of fact answer. “Of course, not.” We respond, but…
Consider this scenario:
A natural disaster has occurred. I am walking through streets full of people wounded and dying. I come across a child who is dehydrated and there is no fresh water to be found . I look and see that I am standing in front of a locked store. Peering in the window, I can see the cooler where bottled water is located. Do you think that Jesus would be against me breaking into the store in order to help the child? And maybe even more importantly would GOD want me to break into the store to help the child? I believe God would.
What we are talking about is situational ethics. Ethical decisions based on the individual situation. What is the most ethical thing to do for the good of the person or group given a specific situation?
Sometimes a responsible breaking of the “law” is needed in order for the best outcome to occur. Think of the civil rights movement. There are many other such situations within human lives that require a “gray” knowledge. Much in life is not black or white and I believe that God asks us to put people above commandments even when those commandments are supposedly created by God.
The problem of course (with situational ethics), is who decides at each moment and situation what is “right”? The answer is, anyone faced with such a dilema. I absolutely agree that in the above situation the decision proposed is correct. But who draws the next line?