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.
