In this session, we will learn that every human life, regardless of age or ability, has inherent value as an image-bearing creation of God. Taking the innocent lives of young, old, or weak humans through abortion or euthanasia is a sin against God and His image bearers. The good news is that the gospel provides the basis of human worth before God as well as the promise of forgiveness and healing for any person who repents and believes, including one who has taken an innocent human life.
The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.–Article III from The Baptist Faith and Message (2000)
Infants in the womb are usually smaller than infants outside the womb. So? Children are usually smaller than teenagers. Women are usually smaller than men. Accountants are usually smaller than bodybuilders. But none of those groups are any more or less human because of their size.
Size
Infants in the womb are less developed than toddlers both physically and mentally. Children are less developed than adults. Senior adults usually decline in their physical and mental abilities. None of those groups are any more or less human because of their level of development.
Level of Development
Are people fully human when they are under water? In an airplane? In a cave? Why would an 8-inch journey through a birth canal change the human nature of a person? If infants are human outside their mothers, then why should anyone regard them as non-human inside their mothers? People are people, regardless of their environment.
Environment
Infants in the womb are dependent on their mothers. Similarly, newborns depend on their parents; mentally and physically disabled people depend on caregivers; and diabetics depend on insulin. Humanity is comprised of some people who depend on medicine or caregivers for their survival. This dependence makes them no less human.
Degree of Dependency
The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture by Scott Klusendorf
Life is sacred and given to us by God; for that reason we must never condone the deliberate, unnatural taking of life.–Billy Graham
Do not murder a child by abortion or kill a newborn infant.–The Didache (early 2nd century)
In America today, it’s illegal to harm your pre-born child, but it’s perfectly legal to kill him.–Randy Alcorn
On the human level, Judas gave [Jesus] up to the priests, who gave him up to Pilate, who gave him up to the soldiers, who crucified him. But on the divine level, the Father gave him up, and he gave himself up, to die for us.–John Stott (1921-2011)
The gospel compels us to action on behalf of the weak and needy. Just as God sent His Son to rescue us, vulnerable and perishing in our sinfulness, we are sent out for the sake of the vulnerable and the weak. We are on the front lines of the adoption movement. We provide a voice for the voiceless, sharing and showing the grace of a God who loves us all.
In this session, we will look at what the Bible says about our responsibility toward all of God’s creation. God’s love extends to what He has created and whom He has created. Our care for the planet is patterned after God’s covenant with the earth after the flood. Likewise, the gospel forms us into the kind of people who are generous with our possessions. In giving to the needy, we show the love of Christ who gave up everything for our salvation.
Next Week