HOLD HUMAN LIFE SACRED

By Gerald Cumby First of all, I want the following information to be understood as a Biblical stand for the unborn, the baby in the mother's womb. Second, I want the same information to be taken as an opinion of and from a "born again" believer in Jesus Christ. I take my stand seriously and without fear of the obvious retaliation and counter beliefs from the Left/Progressives/liberal minded people...or others who have different opinions than mine. I do know, however, if there are different opinions from those who call themselves Christians, those opinions should be only addressed with the Scriptures from God's Word that corroborate or "back up" that opinion.

The Main or Central Truth: Christians' words and actions should affirm the sacredness of human life.

Genesis 9:6, "Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind" (NIV).

Not long ago, we celebrated with other saints around the world the topic of the Sanctity of Life (Not much mentioned in the news media)...Why do you suppose that is?

The Bible clearly states that God gives life and the penalties for taking life.

Societies that offer legalized abortion demonstrate a disregard for God's moral law.

• Do Not Murder (Thou shalt not kill)
• Value Life (Genesis 9:5,6)

Why is murder wrong? Murder is forbidden by God and results in consequences.

Murder violates the principle that human beings are uniquely created in God's image.
The prohibition of murder affirms the sanctity of human life.
Definition of Murder: An act of the will in taking the life of an innocent person as a matter of choice.
Choice is a black and white matter: The conscience of a person tells him/her what is right and wrong.
There is a difference between defending the rights of the innocent and defending the rights of the guilty. We must be very sure of our stand as to the sacredness of human life.

Let's see some of the Scriptures that give us a picture of what is right in the sight of God and what stand should we take as Christians.

Jeremiah 1:5 – "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

Isaiah 49:16 – "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of [my] hands; thy walls [are] continually before me."

Genesis 1:27 – "So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

Ephesians 2:10 – "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Psalms 127:3 – "Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward."

Exodus 20:13 – "Thou shalt not kill." (Better translated as "You shall not murder.")

Isaiah 49:5 – "And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb [to be] his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength."

Job 31:15 – "Did not he that made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?"

Genesis 50:20 – "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive."

Job 10:18 – "Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!"

Genesis 9:6 – "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man."

Luke 1:36 – "And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren."

The Humanity of the Pre-born in the Old Testament

1. God had plans for us before we were born. Jeremiah 1:4-5; Isaiah 49:1, 5
2. David discusses the spiritual state he was in before he was born (his personhood began at conception). Psalm 51:5
3. Jacob and Esau were distinct individuals before birth. Genesis 25:22-28
4. Scripture gives identity to unborn human life. Psalm 139 –

Notice the spiritual relationship the psalmist has while in the womb "The psalmist surveys his life in four stages: Past, present, future, and before birth, and in all four refers to himself as 'I.' He who is writing as a full-grown man has the same personal identity as the fetus in his mother's womb." (John R.W. Stott)

5. Samson's mother is told to alter her diet while pregnant because Samson, the child in her womb, is to be consecrated unto the Lord. Here we have a direct concern for the life of the preborn. Judges 13:2-5

Note: These verses do not distinguish between "potential life" and "actual life" when referring to the pre-born. Genesis 16:11; Isaiah 46:3-4; Psalm 22:9-10
(Notice in Psalm 22:10. "From my mother's womb you have been my God.")

Old Testament Law and the Sanctity of Life

1. Human life is valuable. Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8:4-5
2. There is a serious punishment for anyone who takes an innocent human life. Exodus 20:13; 21:12.      R.C. Sproul writes. "The punitive measures against murder underscore the gravity of the crime precisely because of the value of the victim. Life is regarded as so sacred that it must never be destroyed without just cause."
   Homicide is "an implicit attempt to murder God." Genesis 9:5-6
3. Permitting the murder of innocents pollutes the land. Numbers 35:33-34

Very Important: Believers are charged with defending life. Proverbs 24:11-12

1. God hates those that shed innocent blood. Proverbs 6:16-17
2. Cursed is the man who accepts money to kill an innocent person. Deut. 27:25
3. One of the sins of Ammon that resulted in God's wrath was killing pre-born children. Amos 1:13
4. The Humanity of the Pre-born in the New Testament
• Paul was set apart from his mother's womb. Galatians 1:15
• Jesus is spoken of in the womb. Matthew 1:20-21 (Note: The incarnation is the most compelling Christian apologetic for the sanctity of unborn human life. To argue that life does not begin at conception must lead one to assume that the human Christ was at one point a "potentially human" Christ.
• John the Baptist is spoken of in the womb. Luke 1:15-17

The Value of Human Life in the New Testament

1. Human life is more valuable than animal life. Matthew 6:26; Matthew 10:29-31
2. God's work invests human life with value. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; John 3:16

The "Hard Cases" and Christian Decision-Making

• We are to care for and respect the disabled.
  Exodus 4:10-12; Leviticus 19:14; Isaiah 45:9-12
• Regarding abortion in the case of rape: Children should not be put to death for the sins of their fathers. Deuteronomy 24:16
  Incest and adultery in Christ's bloodline: God can redeem even the tragic events of sin. Genesis 38 (incest of Judah and Tamar); 2 Samuel 11 (adultery between David and Bathsheba).
• Responding to "freedom of choice:" Christians should not use freedom to cover-up evil. 1 Peter 2:16
• We do not have an "unqualified right" to our bodies. Ezekiel 18:4; 1 Corinthians 3:16-19; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16-17.
"Do not follow the crowd in doing evil." Exodus 23:2
• We have a responsibility to speak out. Ezekiel 33:8; Proverbs 31:8-9

And the most difficult question to answer:

The Act of War... "Killing" the Enemy. Throughout the Bible there were instances where kings and soldiers after God's own heart fought and killed the enemies of their country/family. The Bible offers many examples where God commands His people to kill their enemy aggressors in warfare. In Genesis 10 through 12, God created the institution of nations, and determined that people would be divided according to national entities. Once the war is declared, it will involve all the strength of both sides, physically and spiritually, God versus gods. Killing the enemies is the will of God, it is not a sin. Many people have misunderstood the Bible on the subject of killing, often because of an incorrect translation in the old King James version of the Bible. The sixth commandment, in Exodus 20:13, does not actually say, "Thou shalt not kill" as translated in the old King James. A more accurate translation is provided in many of the modern versions, such as the NIV, which says, "You shall not murder." The Bible forbids the act of murder, which means the unjustified taking of a person's life (including suicide, abortion, and euthanasia), but it doesn't forbid all killing. In fact, it is sometimes very adamant that killing is the right thing to do, but it must be justified in God's eyes.

The Bible tells us quite clearly that killing is not only justified in warfare, but it's also necessary. God condemned aggression from one nation against another, and he sanctioned warfare as a means of protection from aggressors. The Old Testament is filled with commands from God to Moses, Joshua, David, and many others, to kill their enemy aggressors. Deuteronomy 20:1 says, "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you."

Sometimes...God, (Yes, God), commanded the unmerciful annihilation of evil nations. You will find in Deuteronomy 2:33-34, "The LORD our God delivered him over to us and we struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army. At that time we took all his towns and completely destroyed them - men, women and children. We left no survivors."

NOTE: If the above answers do not give you peace about "killing during wartime," I would suggest you go with me to the throne room as we are in heaven after our passing ...and ask God about this important question. With this last statement, I am assuming the reader to be a believer (Christian).

I know that there have been many soldiers who have come back from war and cannot obtain peace about their acts during their time in the military. I know the "Peace Giver" and He alone can provide the peace that passes our understanding. I suggest to "Fall on your face" and surrender every act you have committed in which you have questions. God is quick to forgive. Forgive yourself as God forgives you!

Life Principles

1. God created life, making man in His own image and likeness to rule over the rest of creation. (Genesis 1:26-28)
2. God loves and cares for human life, including the pre-born, transferring His image to them. (Psalm 139)
3. Jesus, in His incarnation, identified fully with humanity, sanctifying conception through His participation in it. (Hebrews 2:14)
4. Man was made to live forever. Death is the result of, and the punishment for, sin, and was never offered by God as a solution to problems. (Genesis 2:15-17)
5. Human life is precious to God. Its wanton destruction is forbidden by God and invites His wrath. (Genesis 9:5-6; Revelation 21:8)
6. Child sacrifice is particularly abhorrent to God, combining the shedding of innocent blood and idolatry. (Psalm 106:37-38)
7. Man is commanded by God to reflect His view of human life by protecting it from wanton destruction. (Proverbs 24:11-12)
8. Man is obligated to use law to reflect God's love and justice, providing alternatives to the destruction of human life. (Jeremiah 22:1-3; Matthew 22:37-40)
9. Children are a gift from God for blessing the family, the Church, and the world. (Psalm 127 and Psalm 128)
10. God is in control of the "hard cases," using them for our good and His glory. (Exodus 4:10-12; Isaiah 45:9-12; John 9:11-13)

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." (Psalm 139:13-16)

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
--Albert Einstein

I believe in miracles, I've seen a soul set free,
Miraculous the change in one Redeemed through Calvary;
I've seen the lily push its way up through the stubborn sod;
I believe in miracles, for I believe in God!
Creation shows the power of God,
There's glory all around,
And those who see must stand in awe,
For miracles abound.
I believe in miracles, I've seen a soul set free,
Miraculous the change in one Redeemed through Calvary;
I believe in miracles, for I believe in God!
Author: Carlton C. Buck
I know...Because I am a miracle!

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