The Value of Life

The Value of Life

In recent weeks, the issue of life has been in the news. A number of states in our country are making decisions and policy regarding the value and necessity of life. While I typically do not consume political or national news regularly, this issue has dominated seemingly every medium that I rely on. Interestingly to me, I have noticed there are many differing opinions about the value and necessity of life. While I typically choose to stay away from political issues, this is not a political issue.

Nor is it a scientific issue.

It is not a biological issue.

It is not a national issue or an international issue.

This is not a medical issue.

And it is certainly not a confusing issue.

It’s actually not even an “issue.”

It is life.

God is the creator and initiator of life. Out of His deep love, He created us with incredible thought and purpose. In fact, He tells us that He created us “in His image.” We are made in His likeness. This is what gives us our value and our dignity. We are made in the image of God; the One True God. There is none like Him and He alone has sovereign authority over all things.

Every life has value and dignity because it is a life that is created by God. Our worth doesn’t come from where we are born, who we are born to, or the circumstances in which we were conceived. There are no circumstantial or external factors that play any role in “determining” the value of life. All life has value and all humanity has dignity. From the moment we are conceived until the moment we take our last breath, we are a life that has value and meaning; a life that has purpose and a life that has hope.

The gospel is that God is for sinners. He loves us and He gave His life for us. Every one of us is a sinner, which means we have thoughts and ideas that are evil. Jesus came so that we don’t have to live our lives dominated and captive to our depravity. The gospel sets us free. The gospel gives us hope. And the gospel empowers us to live our lives in Jesus.

But the gospel demands that I see as God sees. When we are in a relationship with Jesus because of the gospel, we are no longer free to determine which life has value and which life does not. The gospel sets us free from that. Human life has never been a political issue. It has always been and will always be a gospel issue.

We don’t need more policy, we need the gospel.

We don’t need more rights, we need the gospel.

We don’t need more opinions, we need the gospel.

I believe that we are all created by God and that because of Him, we have value and we have dignity. I have chosen to live my life for the gospel, which means I choose to live my life according to God’s will rather than my will. Although there are moments each day that I will try to convince myself that my way is better, His way always proves true.

So, when it comes to the “issue” of life, I desperately need God’s help to see as He sees.

I need God’s help to see the value and dignity in others who are not like me. Differences make me fearful, but the gospel gives me courage.

I need God’s help to see the value and dignity in others who are like me. I am tempted to place greater value on those I understand.

I need God’s help to see the worth in others because of who God says they are and not because of who I say they are. The gospel gives me the love to do so.

As a Christian, a husband, a father, a Pastor, a son, a brother, a friend, a leader, and a community member, I believe in God and I believe in the Good News of the Gospel. I believe that all life has value and dignity, and I believe that God can help me to see others as He sees them.

Whether they are in the womb or out, God help me to see their value and their dignity.

Whether they look like me or look different from me, God help me to see their value and their dignity.

Whether they are my friend or my enemy, God help me to see their value and their dignity.

Whether they are on one side of the wall or the other, God help me to see their value and their dignity.

Whether they are young or old, God help me to see their value and their dignity.

May God help me to see in others what He sees in me.