Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: April 29, 2007
THE KEYS TO WINNING THE PRO-LIFE BATTLE -- # 1
Ben Justice
When a society comes to disrespect and devalue some human life, it is on a very
slippery slope to disrespecting and devaluing all human life. The elimination of
old people and other classes has not only been suggested but has actually taken
place. In the middle 1800’s America faced the slavery issue. This issue ripped
America apart. A civil war was fought. Thankfully, slavery was abolished
because the majority of Americans valued the sanctity of life. The principle is
the same with regard to abortion, and we must treat it as such.
The sanctity and value of human life is clearly taught in the Word of God. In
Gen. 1:26-27, we have the creation of man — “And God said, Let us make man in
our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and
over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every
creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Man created in
the image and likeness of God is as important as anything could be! There is a
vast chasm that exists between human beings and animals. Animals were not
created in the image and likeness of God, but man was. He possesses an
immortal, eternal soul. Animals do not possess a soul. Concerning man’s
creation, the Psalmist penned, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the
son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the
angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:4-5). The Hebrew
word for “angels” is Elohim, which is the name for God. The Pulpit Commentary
states this:
There is no place in the Old Testament when Elohim means “angels;” and,
though the LXX so translate in the present passage, and the rendering has
passed from them into the New Testament (Heb. 2:7), it cannot be regarded as
critically correct. The psalmist, in considering how God has favored man, goes
back in thought to his creation, and remembers the words of Gen. 1:26-27 . . .
(Psalms, Pg. 49).
Man’s nature corresponds to God’s nature. Of course, this doesn’t mean that
man is identical to God. Man is like God, but not identical to God. Man’s
inward nature is revealed in the following ways:
1.) Intellectually, so that there can be communication of ideas between God and
man, and man can think God’s thoughts after him.
2.) Emotionally, so that there may be a community of feeling between him and
his maker.
3.) Volitionally, so that man can exercise the power of choice.
4.) Morally, so that he has the ability to evaluate conduct as either bad or good,
as does God.
5.) Domionwise, so that he is expected to rule over the lower creation rather
than being controlled by it (Teacher’s Annual Lesson Commentary: 1979-1980,
Pg. 11).
Genesis 9:5-6 contains a very significant truth as it relates to the value of
human life. The text states, “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at
the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every
man’s brother will I require the life of man. (6) Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man
shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” In the context of
these scriptures, there is a great contrast between animals and human beings.
Human beings are allowed to kill animals for food. However, if an animal or a
man kills a human being, then they are to be put to death. Why the difference?
Because man is made in the image of God (v. 6); animals are not. God strictly
forbids the taking of human life. It is in these verses that God instituted capital
punishment. Note the phrase that is used three times in v. 5: “I require.” “I”
refers to God. It is God who requires the life of the one who murders his fellow
man. However, according to v. 6, even though God requires it, it is man who
carries out the capital punishment: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall
his blood be shed.” Interestingly, we have the germ of civil and judicial
government set forth. Capital punishment is seen throughout every
dispensation. It was commanded under the Law of Moses (Ex. 21:28; Num. 31:30-
31). It is also seen under the Law of Christ (Rom. 13:4; Acts 25:10-11). Here is
a significant point we must grasp: Whenever capital punishment is not
administered upon a murderer, it is actually demeaning and devaluing the
human life that has been taken. One writer very excellently wrote,
“Contemporary efforts to abolish capital punishment proceed on a non-Christian
view of man, a secular theory of criminal law, and a low estimate of the value of
life” (Gordan H. Clark, Capital Punishment, “Wycliffe Dictionary of
Christian Ethics,” Pg. 84).
Many other scriptures could be cited that teach us the dignity, worth, value, and
sanctity of life. If there is anyone who should uphold and defend the dignity and
sanctity of life, it should be Christians!
What does this have to do with winning the pro-life battle? It has everything to
do with it, for when people are not taught the value and worth of all human life,
the battle will never be won! People must be educated about these things.
However, it is truly unfortunate when many are taught just the opposite. Many
people have been fed the lie that they evolved from lower forms of animal life. In
turn, they act like animals. Thus, if we are just naked apes, then there really is
no value and worth of human life. If human life is not created in the image and
likeness of God, then humans are free to act like animals and do what animals
do, which willfully includes taking life. When God’s Word is removed from
society (as it has been for the past several decades) then what can we expect?!
When a society comes to disrespect and devalue life, then all kinds of problems
will come about. This is the natural and expected result.
As Christians, we have the responsibility to stand for what is right. We have the
obligation to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13-16).
We should be doing everything that is right and godly to battle the abortion
industry. What are some ways that we can and must do this? Lord willing next
week, we will examine some of these things.