Sanctity of Human Life

Friends,

God values all life, and so should we. I appreciate the efforts of Jerry Shirley in relationship to this message, as we combine thoughts to share a message concerning the sanctity of human life.

Haiti. Two years and one week ago, approximately 300,000 people lost their lives. This is a huge number of human lives. We still don’t know how many Americans died, but since tens of thousands were there, and are unaccounted for, it was certainly a large number. 1.5 million homeless people sounds like a large number as well…and it is. These are big numbers, and many of them were little ones, and God loved each and every one of them. Here is another number -- 50 million. That’s approximately how many have died in America since 1973 when the Supreme Court made the decision to make abortion legal, placing our official stamp of approval as a nation upon the death of the innocent. That’s a really huge number, and they are all little ones! And just as surely as those precious little ones over the last 37 years awoke in heaven with Jesus, may the babies yet to come this year and in future years awake to the life here on earth that God intended for them from the beginning of their life, which He placed in them at their conception! (Psalms 139:13-16)

In God’s eyes, life is sacred...it is sacred because God made it. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27). “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16). It is protected by God. “You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit” (Job 10:12). “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalms 91:11). It is valued by God. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

In God’s eyes, life is sacred...it is sacred no matter what its condition might be.
Life is a challenge in a sin-tainted world. It would have been wonderful if God’s original plan had materialized, but unfortunately sin came into our world and with it came pain, imperfection, injustice, etc. God warned us of these challenges and enables those who trust in Jesus in order to be victorious through Him. “Cast all your care upon him; for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus Himself says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We must not overlook those who have challenges in this life. Jesus showed special concern for the lame, the blind, the woman with the issue of blood, the lepers. In our day we must not forget. Our Lord placed great value on those whom society has shuffled aside. While on his knees, the leper begged Jesus to make him clean, and He did so. The Bible says in Mark 1:41, “Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man -- "I am willing," he said, "Be clean!"

In God’s eyes, life is sacred...it is sacred because of its eternal nature.
Our earthly life is simply a prelude to eternity. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). In other words, we can know and be assured of abundant life while on the earth…and everlasting life in eternity with Christ.

What can we do? Be informed. We can’t bury our heads in the sand. Ignorance is not bliss. Also, work and pray...for a constitutional amendment to overturn Roe v. Wade. It is possible if we speak up, vote, take our stand! Teach sexual morality in the home. We need to teach our kids a higher standard than “being safe”. Have more compassion for the unwed mother and the mother who has had an abortion. God loves them all! Speak out clearly without apology. Refuse to be swayed by the high sounding arguments of liberal politicians, and so-called “experts” in the scientific field who have no moral base to speak from. Pray for God to have mercy on America…and to bring national revival.

Blessings, Don