TOPIC 39 OF 47
The Sanctity of Life
Every human life is God’s precious gift, worthy of care.
THE MAIN TRUTH
God the Father has wonderfully created all human life in the body as sacred in his sight.
The teaching
From the book · pages 119–121
God the Father has wonderfully created all human life in the body as sacred in his sight. The Triune God formed each person in the image of his life-giving love through a father within the womb of a mother. Each human life is a gift of his goodness and grace.
Every human being is of inestimable worth and value to him. This is true even though we live in a sin-fallen world where human lives are corrupted and damaged by sin and evil and are subject to decay and death. God marvelously and unchangeably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image of God. If a person rejects his or her biological sex, that person rejects God’s created design.
The sanctity of God’s gift of life begins with the life of a child in the womb and extends to the elderly, the physically and mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through physical death. God calls us to defend, protect, and value every human life that he has created and that Christ Jesus has redeemed.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
The passages root human worth in God’s creating and redeeming work. This worth does not depend on strength, usefulness, independence, or the approval of others.
12 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
Psalm 139:13-17 ↗
“You wove me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and my soul knows that very well. My bones were 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 unfinished body. In your book all of them were written. Days were determined, before any of them existed. Your thoughts to me are so precious, O God! How great is the sum of them!”
Book page 120
SCRIPTURE 02
Genesis 1:26, 31 ↗
“God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion . . . over all the earth’ . . . it was very good.”
Book page 120
SCRIPTURE 03
Psalm 8:4-6 ↗
“. . . what is man that you remember him, the son of man that you pay attention to him! . . . you crown him with glory and honor. You make him ruler over the works of your hands.”
Book page 120
SCRIPTURE 04
Isaiah 43:1,4-5,7 ↗
“I have called you by name. You are mine . . . you are precious and honored in my eyes, and I myself love you . . . Do not be afraid, because I am with you . . . everyone who is called by name, everyone I created for my glory, everyone I formed, yes, everyone I have made.”
Book page 120
SCRIPTURE 05
Mark 10:6 ↗
“But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.”
Book page 120
SCRIPTURE 06
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ↗
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.”
Book page 121
SCRIPTURE 07
Luke 12:6-7 ↗
“Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? And not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Why, even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So stop being afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
Book page 121
SCRIPTURE 08
Jeremiah 1:5 ↗
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I set you apart.”
Book page 121
SCRIPTURE 09
Isaiah 46:4 ↗
“Until your old age, I am he, and until you have gray hair, I myself will hold you up. I myself made you, and I myself will lift you up.”
Book page 121
SCRIPTURE 10
Job 12:10 ↗
“The life of every living thing is in his hand, as well as the breath in all human flesh.”
Book page 121
SCRIPTURE 11
Isaiah 44:2,21,24 ↗
“This is what the LORD, your Maker, says, the LORD who formed you in the womb, who will help you . . . You, Israel, you will never be forgotten by me . . . This is what the LORD, your Redeemer . . . says. I am the LORD, the one who does all things. . .”
Book page 121
SCRIPTURE 12
1 Peter 1:18-19 ↗
“. . . you were redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ. . .”
Book page 121
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
What gives a human life its value before God?
Which vulnerable people are easily overlooked in your community?
How can the defense of life take the form of practical, patient care?
A prayer
Creator and Redeemer, teach us to cherish every person. Give us courage to protect the vulnerable and compassion to serve those whose lives are difficult or overlooked. Amen.