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November 2010 DevotionalThe Value of Human Life
What was lost when that life was taken? Our society thinks of lost life in terms of memories and potential. We are sad because this person we have known is gone. We will not have his presence anymore. We are also sad because we think of a young man of twenty-two having so much to live for. He missed out on fifty years or more of living. These are certainly good reasons for mourning and for being angry against murder, but added to this ought to be the realization that murder is an attack upon the Image of God. When God created man, He distinguished him from the rest of His creation by creating man in His Image:
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26-28) Man was not just like the animals He created. Though there are physical resemblances, man was given dominion over creation. Man bears the image of God in that he has rational ability like God. He is able to think and plan. He is able to envision and create. He is able to lead and command. These abilities are more than just instinctual. Man also bears the image of God in that he has a moral likeness to God. Unlike the rest of creation, God gave to man a moral command to obey Him: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (Gen 2:16) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). He was given the choice to do right and be blessed or to do wrong and be punished. He understood the difference between right and wrong. Even though our sinful nature has marred our ability to always rightly discern right and wrong (due to Adam’s disobedience to this command), man’s conscience still shows this evidence of the image of God. “Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;” (Romans 2:15). Besides rational & moral similarities to God, man was also created with a spiritual similarity. When God created man he singled out man by breathing into man’s nostrils the “breath of life,” making him a “living soul” (Genesis 2:7). We see further that God says that death does not end the existence of a man. He will awake from death to face judgment. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27). Because man is created in God’s image, God holds them accountable for the lives of each other. We are cautioned even from cursing another human being. “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God” (James 3:9). God instituted capital punishment for anyone who dares to take the life of another man, not because of the lost presence and potential of the human being; rather, because of the attack on His image. “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in he image of God made he man” (Genesis 9:5-6).
As you consider the value of human life, have you considered that you, too, will go on in existence beyond this life? Have you considered your moral responsibility to God, your Creator? Have you realized that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God?” (Romans 3:23). Do you know God will hold you accountable for your sin in the judgment to follow your life here on earth? Thankfully, the Creator God is a Benevolent God. Because He created us in His image, He lovingly provided a way for the forgiveness of sin by delivering His Son, Jesus Christ, for sin. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Will you believe on His Son for your forgiveness? Rev. Daniel Stertz |
Recently in our community of Beloit, a sixteen-year-old stuck a pistol into an open car window and fired two shots, killing a twenty-two year old man. Why? They had been arguing about a girlfriend who was pregnant. It is tragic that this young man, who is being waived into an adult court, will be tried, and probably found guilty, for first degree murder. He will probably spend his entire life behind bars. It is even more tragic, however, that a human life was taken.
Conclusion: These passages clearly show the value of human life from God’s perspective. When a life is taken in murder, we ought to grieve for the lost presence and potential; and, we ought to grieve because a soul that was created in the image of God went out into eternity. Unfortunately many in our society do not see the murder of the unborn in this light. Since we never knew these people (the unborn) we do not grieve the loss of their presence and potential. But what so many do not realize is abortion is a horrible attack on God’s image.