Sunday, January 20, 2013

The Value of Life


Tonight in Bible Study we took a break from our normal study to talk about the sanctity of life.  Here are a few truths from scriptures that show us God’s value of all human life.
In Genesis 1:26-27 we see that God created man differently than all of the rest of creation.  We were created in the very image of God.  We were formed from the dust of the ground by the very hands of God.  God breathed His own breath into man, making man a living soul.  This is powerful testimony to the value of every human being.  It’s so important for us to see God’s image in every person.  Whether or not you believe in God, in His son, or the Bible, you were still created by God and made in His image.  When we start to see people with the knowledge that they are formed by God and made in His own image, we begin to value that person on a whole new level.  It’s easy to hold this view when the person is healthy, beautiful, or successful.  But, what about those who are usually looked at as weaker, unhealthy, or un-loveable?  It is crucial that we see EVERY life as a gift from God, highly valued by Him, and made in His very image. 
It’s not enough for a Christian to stop here.  It is our responsibility to not only affirm that all life is valuable to God, but to also protect this life.  Look at Exodus 1:15-17 and its surrounding passages.  The king of Egypt had told all the midwives to kill every male child that was born to the Israelites.  He was afraid that Israel’s population was growing so big that they would one day overtake Egypt, so he ordered all male babies to be killed.  Well, God tells us of two midwives, Shiphrah, and Puah, who took a stand for life.  They feared God, they affirmed the value of every life, and they risked their own lives to save those of the babies they were commanded to kill.  What would have happened if they affirmed life, but simply removed themselves for the job of midwife so that they would not have to a part of such a horrendous situation?  No, they took a stand right where they were and saved the lives of many children.  In fact, we see in the very next chapter a story of a woman who gave birth to a son and hid him as long as possible, praying that God would find a way to protect him.  That baby boy’s name was Moses, and God did protect him.  He also grew up to become the man who would lead Israel out of slavery and right up to the Promised Land.  We have to take a stand for what’s right.
We know that God values every life because every life is made in His image.  We know that we have a responsibility to take a stand for human life and defend those who cannot defend themselves.  It’s also important that we see that each and every life has a special purpose from God.  Read these words from Psalm 139:13-16.  “For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”   Take special notice that God knew our substance BEFORE we were even formed.  He fashioned every single day of my life BEFORE my days ever began!  When God formed your inward parts, when He covered you in your mother’s womb, He was creating every single detail of your life.  I love the words “skillfully wrought” in this passage.  He was giving you a personality. He was equipping you with talents. He gave you a specific gender.  He gave you your eye color, your skin tone, the structure to give you a specific height and body build.  God created each and every person exactly the way He wanted to for a specific purpose.  For a person to say that one life is more valuable than another is to take the place of God.  It is only for God to determine the value of a life, and He is clear in His word that He values EVERY life, regardless of status, success, handicap, or illness.  Every life is valued from conception to the grave, and it is never up to a man to determine the value of a life.  God is the giver and taker of life, not man.  When a man makes the decision to end any life, the Bible is clear that this man is a murderer.  It does not matter the circumstances; our job is to trust God that when He says He has a purpose for every life, He means He has a purpose for every life.  We ought to be in praise and celebration over the fact that He does have a purpose for life, from the moment of their conception, to the moment they breathe their last. 
Think about your life for a minute.  In what ways can you follow the example of the midwives in Exodus and take a stand for human life?  Don’t be afraid to speak up.  Fear God, and take the stand.