The Value Of Human Life

INTRODUCTION

52 years ago on January 22nd, the decision for Roe v. Wade was handed down, asserting the right of a woman to an abortion until “viability”

Viable is defined as being “potentially able to live outside the mother’s womb, albeit with artificial aid.”

Abortion is a hotly debated issue which tends to be emotionally charged and can lead to division between family, friends, and churches.  And the momentum is not slowing down.  

There have been over 63 million abortions in the United States since January 22, 1973

On average, there are over 2,800 abortions per day (1 every 31 seconds)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

around 73 million induced abortions take place worldwide each year. 

6 out of 10 of all unintended pregnancies (3 out of 10 of all pregnancies) end in induced abortion.

However, the question of the value of human life does not start and end with abortion

Racial prejudice - people are marginalized by the color of their skin

Bullying - schools, social media, workplace

Euthanasia 

Dying with Dignity and Brittany Maynard’s story that dominated the national news for several weeks in 2014

How protected are the aging in our society?  Or those who can no longer be contributors?

Stem cell research and cloning

Human trafficking 

“Human Trafficking – The West’s New Slave Trade” by Janet Crouse “It was the middle of the night, and I was sitting in the back seat of a dark SUV moving along the taxi lane in downtown Mexico City, Mexico. A car with guards went in front of us and another followed us. In addition, a long line of cars drove very slowly ahead and behind our vehicles to give the men time to choose a girl from the dozens of young girls lining the streets. That was the first time that I saw “up close and personal” the human face of the evil that we call “sex trafficking.” 

My heart broke that night as I saw the tragic faces of very young teenagers who were offering themselves as sex slaves for a few minutes or a few hours. One of our guards was so stunned that he cried out over the walkie-talkies in a choked voice, “Those girls are as young as my daughter.” Things got very quiet after that; nobody had anything to say. 

What we witnessed that night is part of the industry that former President Bush called “modern-day slavery.” It is rampant and growing.” 

All of these topics deal directly with the question: “how valuable is life?”

Let’s take a few minutes to explore how valuable life is in the eyes of the one who would have the best estimation: our Creator.  

Value is Shown Through Creation

(Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16)

Genesis 1:26-27 – Man was created in the image of God

Mentally, man was created as a rational, volitional agent. In other words, man can reason and man can choose. This is a reflection of God’s intellect and freedom

Morally, man was created in righteousness and perfect innocence, a reflection of God’s holiness.

Socially, man was created for fellowship. This reflects God's triune nature and His love.

Genesis 9:5-6 - The death penalty was instituted because of the value of individual lives

Psalm 139:13-16 – Man was created by the hand of God

God, in the safest place on the planet (the mother’s womb), oversees the entire creative process

He has determined the amount of days each person will live

Value is Shown Through the Law

(Exodus 21:12-25)

Exodus 21:12-25

The value of life is seen in through the retaliatory measures taken against those who take life

While it may seem barbaric to us, notice that the sanctity of the home  is clearly established (v. 17)

If a pregnant woman is caused to give birth early, then the man who caused the early labor will be fined as determined by the courts

However, if the child suffers any harm as a result of the early delivery, then the man who caused it will have to repay in like kind

The Bible Knowledge Commentary While unintentional life-taking was usually not a capital offense, here it clearly was.  Also. the unborn fetus is viewed in this passage as just as much a human being as its mother; the abortion of a fetus was considered murder.

Value is Shown Through Our Salvation

(Romans 5:6-8)

Romans 5:6-8

The process of salvation is quite impressive

Jesus, the second member of the trinity, humbles Himself by taking on human form and being born in an obscure village and sleeping in a manger his first night on the earth

He then lived a sinless life, putting Himself in position to be the spotless lamb of God in order to take the punishment for the sins of the world on the cross at Calvary

Then, 3 days after He was buried in the tomb, He rose again from the dead, showing He has the power over sin and death in order to provide eternal life to all who place their trust in Him

The mere fact that our all-powerful Creator chose to take on a fragile body so that He can offer us salvation is a strong indicator of the value of human life

It is this action of love and sacrificial concern that Paul points to as the model to be emulated in the Christian life

Philippians 2:5-8 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

CONCLUSION

The value of life, unfortunately, is being diminished in our self-satisfying culture of me-first-mindedness

Our petty desires and wants are being granted at the great cost of human life

Sexual pleasure is desired, but not at the inconvenience of a baby, so abort it

Thrills and enjoyment are desired, but not at the inconvenience of a terminal disease, so end your life (or the life of someone else) when you are ready to do so

It is unfortunate to see the devaluing of life, and it is getting worse

God has clearly shown us that human life is very valuable, through:

Creation - created in His image

The Law - protecting His image

Salvation - born again in His image

Let’s stand up and proclaim the value of human life by informing people of the greatest price ever paid for human life: the life of Jesus Christ.