Made in His Image

The Sanctity of Life
Proverbs 31:8-9

Today we affirm our belief that human life is of inestimable worth and significance in all its dimensions, including the unborn, the aged, the widowed, the mentally handicapped, the unattractive, the physically challenged and every other condition in which humanness is expressed from conception to the grave. We believe life is sacred.

I. All human life is precious and to be protected because humans alone bear the image of God. - Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7

What does “God created man in His own image" mean?

In our nature and personality; in our moral and spiritual capacities; in our emotions, intellect, conscience, and will; in our functions and actions we stand apart from the rest of creation.

Men, women and children created in God’s image should be respected, regardless of their mental capacity, physical ability, age, faith (or absence of faith) or social position.

The lack of value for life today is the result of godlessness.

“What is man?” - Psalms 8:3-5

The presence or absence of individual characteristics, abilities or capacities cannot determine humanness.

What is Human Dignity? - Psalm 8:5b

This is an innate value, bestowed on us by God by being made in His image. It is not based on the ability to care for ourselves or competence to complete a task.

II. What a "quality of life" ethic does to those who hold it. - Isaiah 5:20;
Psalms 140:12

The “quality of life” ethic has a record of desensitizing people to the deaths of the weakest and most vulnerable in society.

A common fear among the disabled or terminally ill is that of becoming a burden.

III. What can we do to help restore the Sanctity of Human Life ethic?

·      We should examine our hearts for attitudes toward our fellow humans that violate the spirit of the Sanctity of Human Life ethic.

·      We need to teach the next generation a respect for all human life.

·      We must give value to those who others discriminate against or ignore others by sharing our own voices in protection of those who cannot speak for themselves.

·      Forgive those who have violated the sanctity of life in any form as they confess their sin and seek restoration.