January 7, 2002
LifeWay Family Bible Series for Jan. 20
Christ's love affirms the sanctity of human life
___Exodus 1:1-2:10; Hebrews 11:23
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___Sanctity--a holiness of life and character. Is it true that if Jesus lives in a person, he or she affirms the value of all human life?
___Think about it carefully before you answer too quickly. This week's lesson revolves around this teaching theme. My response is, I don't believe it does. Just because a person professes to be a Christian does not mean the result will all be the same.
___That may shock you. However, I believe Jesus is not allowed to be Lord at all times in every believer's life. Each Christian will be at a different level of maturity, understanding and commitment. Not every Christian will think the same or value life the same. If that were the case, our world would be different. Let's go ahead and say our church would be different.
___Why? Because we all come from different backgrounds that greatly influence us. This includes our family upbringing, social status, economic level and even biblical teaching.
___Now just in case you are still wondering about how to answer the question, let me add a few more factors. What about the Christian who believes in capital punishment or taking revenge on someone who has caused bodily harm or death to a family member or friend? Is that valuing human life?
___This topic has and will continue to cause great debate. The fact is, we should all value life and do whatever it takes to protect life. The statement would be true if it read, "If Jesus lives in a person it should cause that peron to affirm the value of all human life." For the sake of a hurting world, I wish it were true.
___"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27).
___"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them" (Psalm 39:13-17).
___"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12:7).
___"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:16-17).
___These few Bible verses are just the beginning of what God thinks of human life. God loves us. He created us. He knows every intricate detail about our bodies. He provided a Savior for us. And let me say again, God loves us! Yes, Christ in us should cause us to value and protect human life. All life--unborn, child and adult, sinner, believer--all life.
___The next question to pose is, "Do I care enough to seek to protect human life?" Realizing that we are uniquely made and have different opinions, viewpoints and personal beliefs will result in various answers. Some will choose to demonstrate in front of abortion clinics or prisons during an execution, while others will write letters of protest. Others will secretly plan and implement a way of destruction on a person's life, whether it be murder or abuse.
___Could there be a more effective method? How else could a Christian seek to protect human life? How about encouraging a person to do a career change in which he or she could be a part of changing laws or enforcing the law; become a counselor to those who are troubled; become a doctor or nurse to have a hands-on experience on providing spiritual care; be a Bible study teacher, discipler or mentor to either a new or young Christian; teach and share about God's word in what he thinks about human life to both believer and non-believer.
___The emphasis is to do something constructive not destructive. Wouldn't it be far better to make a positive impact than a negative impact and then see more lives devalued?
___"By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict" (Hebrews 11:23).
___To what extremes or measure would you go to protect your child? Moses' parents took courage to do what they could to seek and to protect him. Put yourself in this situation and capture the energy it would take in your mind. Now, meditate and ask for God's guidance and wisdom in how you can channel this energy to seek and protect other human life in our world. Remember, God loves everyone--believer and non-believer.
___Questions for discussion
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