Human life is a precious gift from God. The Bible has a lot to say about how we should view and treat human life. In this post, we will explore the key Biblical principles about human life and what God intends for humanity.
Introduction
Human beings are unique creations in God’s image. Our lives have dignity, worth and purpose. How we live our lives matters to God. As Christians, we believe we are called to value and protect all human life.
Here are some key takeaways about what the Bible teaches regarding human life:
- Human life is sacred, created by God in His image and likeness.
- Life begins at conception. An unborn baby is fully human.
- All human beings have equal dignity and worth regardless of age, appearance, ability or background.
- God commands us not to murder. Followers of Christ must be unconditionally pro-life.
- We have a duty to speak up for and protect the vulnerable. This includes the unborn, poor, sick, disabled and elderly.
- Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be kept pure.
- Suicide is viewed as a tragic rejection of God’s gift of life.
- How we live reflects our love for God. We are called to choose life by caring for our bodies, loving others and being faithful stewards of creation.
Let’s explore each of these principles in more detail…
Human Life is Sacred
The Bible clearly states that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God.
“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 NKJV)
Being made in God’s image means human life has inherent dignity and worth. We reflect God’s nature and sovereignty over creation.
The fact God created and deliberately formed humans testifies that he values us deeply (Psalm 139:13-16). Our lives are not accidents but part of God’s majestic plan.
The sacredness of human life is not based on our abilities, social status, ethnicity, age or stage of development. Every human being from conception onwards is precious and made to reflect God’s glory.
Life Begins at Conception
The Bible teaches human life begins at conception. An unborn baby is considered fully human and known personally by God.
The psalmist said God knew him before he was born:
“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” (Psalm 139:13-16 NKJV)
God intimately knows and fashions each child in the womb. The humanity of the unborn is acknowledged and their right to life assumed.
When Mary was pregnant with Jesus, her unborn son was recognized and valued as Lord:
“And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!'” (Luke 1:41-42 NKJV)
Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah and apostle Paul both identified themselves as persons known and appointed by God before birth (Jeremiah 1:5, Galatians 1:15).
All Human Life Has Equal Worth
Every human being is created equal. Our fundamental value and rights come from God, not from any human contribution or achievement.
The Bible makes no distinction between young or old, strong or weak, able-bodied or disabled. All are precious in God’s sight.
God values even seemingly insignificant lives like the poor, orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable:
“God defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” (Deuteronomy 10:18 NIV)
In God’s kingdom, those whom society neglects are lifted up:
“The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for orphans and widows.” (Psalm 146:9 GNT)
The value of life does not fluctuate based on circumstances. God entrusted his own Son’s life to a poor, unwed teenager (Luke 1:26-38). He assigned worth to suffering lives many would discount (Matthew 25:34-40).
Followers of Jesus see dignity in all people, especially those deemed unimportant. The sanctity of human life remains constant from conception to natural death.
“Do Not Murder”
God unequivocally commands us not to murder.
“You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13 NKJV)
All life is God’s to create and take. Murder is a grave sin because it assumes authority over a life that is not ours. Taking any innocent human life – born or unborn – violates God’s command.
Intentionally destroying or discarding unborn children for convenience is incompatible with God’s love. Abortion stops a beating heart made in God’s image. It disregards His sovereignty as author of life.
Similarly, murdering the sick, disabled or elderly treats human beings as disposable objects. All people – regardless of appearance, ability or age – reflect God’s glory. To injure or destroy human life is to deface God’s handiwork.
As followers of Jesus, we must be unconditionally pro-life. Speaking up for the voiceless and defending the weak is a moral imperative.
Protect the Vulnerable
Standing up for those who cannot defend themselves is a recurring Biblical theme. We have a duty to give voice to the voiceless.
In the Old Testament, prophets confronted those who oppressed the weak:
“This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed.” (Jeremiah 22:3 NIV)
Jesus exemplified care and compassion for the marginalized. He regarded any harm done to the vulnerable as evil:
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6 NIV)
In God’s eyes, we are all “little ones” in need of protection, justice and grace.
As Christians, we cannot remain silent when any vulnerable lives are threatened or devalued. We must advocate for the unborn, aged, disabled, ill and impoverished. Speaking truth and showing compassion is witness to the God of life.
Our Bodies Are Temples
The Bible calls our physical bodies temples of God’s Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are stewards of our health and physical beings. Since God resides in us, we should honor Him with our choices.
Some key principles:
- Our bodies do not fully belong to us but to God. We are caretakers of His temple.
- God created our physical beings and declares them good. Our bodies are not dirty or shameful.
- We should avoid polluting the Lord’s temple through substance abuse, dangerous behavior or sexually impurity.
- Living wholesomely demonstrates reverence for the Spirit within us. Our lifestyle choices have moral and spiritual significance.
- While suffering is inevitable, intentionally harming ourselves insults God’s creation. Suicide contradicts trust in God’s sovereignty.
- We can offer our whole selves – body and spirit – as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). Our life choices become worship.
Honoring the body as God’s home transforms how we live. It instills awe at being part of His living temple. Daily choices reflect our devotion.
Called to Choose Life
Ultimately, how we treat life reveals our love for the God of life. If we see existence as gift, we will steward it well.
God set before ancient Israel a choice:
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV)
This choice remains. Will we honor God’s vision for human dignity, protect the vulnerable and choose life daily?
Choosing life means caring for our bodies, honoring all people, and serving the weak. It means promoting justice, reconciliation, healing and flourishing.
As bearers of God’s image, our lives have divine purpose. May we behold the beauty of His creation and choose to reflect God through our days. Our lives can radiate God’s character – the ultimate human calling.
Conclusion
Human life is a profound gift from the Lord. All people have immeasurable worth as His image bearers. God creates each life for a reason. No human being is disposable or replaceable.
The Bible calls us to champion and care for all people, including the weak, poor, abandoned, unborn, aged or disabled. Standing up for the vulnerable reflects God’s heart for justice.
As Christians, how we live and treat others demonstrates our view of humanity. Do we see God’s fingerprints on every life? Do we hear His call to nurture life and resist harm? May our living proclaim that all belong to Him.
Our days on earth are brief, but how we spend them matters. May we choose each day to honor the God of life through our choices, ethics, compassion, empathy and voice.
