In recent days and decades—indeed, in all of history—it has become abundantly clear that not all human life is considered sacred in this world. Whether with words, weapons, or surgical instruments, the image-bearers of God are under attack, and that includes all of us, all of humanity.
Sometimes we are the perpetrators; sometimes we are the victims; we can even be the passive bystanders. But if we believe that every human being is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), then there is inherent value in every person that is worth recognizing, worth recalling, worth standing up for—from the unborn to the elderly, from our neighbors to those on the other side of the world, from the weak and vulnerable even to those who would murder and oppress them.
As God’s people through faith in Jesus Christ, we believers are called to stand up for those who can’t because that is what Jesus did for us. While dead in our sin and existing as enemies of God, Jesus gave His live to save us from sin and to give us eternal life in Him (Romans 5:8).
As imitators of our Savior, we should show God’s love to the oppressed and even the oppressor, calling both to repentance and faith in Jesus, for He saves, without distinction, whoever believes, showing true value for the image of God.
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To help your church and groups come to value all human life and respond in ways consistent with the gospel, here are some free Bible study sessions that focus on the sanctity of human life.
Make as many copies as you need for your church and groups.
Life: God’s Blessing, Our Response (2013)
Human Dignity (2017)
Wonderfully Made (2018)
Crying Out for God’s Justice (2019)
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