Dear Calvary Church Family,
This Sunday we commemorate the Sanctity of Human Life. Scripture teaches that every individual is known by God from before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4). Since all life exists for God’s purposes and all human lives are equally sacred, it is our belief that all human life is blessed of God and that the task of the Church is to actively value and cherish every life – from the womb to the tomb. Every human being bears God’s image (Gen 1:26).
As Martin Luther King, Jr. aptly said, “There are no gradations in the image of God…God made us to live together as brothers [and sisters] and to respect the dignity and worth of every [hu]man.”
Over the years as a pastor, I have grown a great concern for the women who suffer in silence from guilt and shame through having undergone an abortion. For this reason we have generated an email address (confidentialtalk@calvarypalisades.org) that will go directly to a longtime female Calvary member who is equipped to provide counsel and referrals as needed. I would also say that if you are in an abusive relationship please reach out as well. Your privacy will be protected.
For a more complete biblical view of the sanctity of human life consider the following, which I have adapted from the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination.
God’s Intention: Creation
Human life is created by God and is good. Since we are uniquely created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and formed by God (Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4; Psalm 139:13–16), we hold to the sanctity of all human life (Genesis 9:6; Matthew 6:26). As best as we understand, human life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:4–5). It also lasts beyond death into eternity (John 5:28–29; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52; 2 Corinthians 5:8–10). God gives life and breath to everyone (Acts 17:25), calling us to value equally the dignity of every individual life in its entirety, which compels us to love and have compassion for all peoples of the world (2 Corinthians 5:14–15).
Our Distortion: Fall
Sin affects every aspect of human life (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 5:12) and will lead to devaluing life (Amos 2:6–7; James 2:1–4; Galatians 5:14–15). God exposes and condemns these distortions through the life-affirming nature of the Law, as seen in the Ten Commandments that prohibit life-denying practices (Exodus 20:1–17). This degrading of human life leads to dehumanizing practices (e.g., abortion on demand, racism, injustice, abuse, suicide, human trafficking, genocide, murder, and euthanasia). Since each person is made in the image of God, we grieve such practices.
Our Redemption: Jesus
Our life-giving mission is to proclaim Jesus in word and deed to the whole world (2 Corinthians 5:20; James 1:27). As our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King, Jesus brings new and abundant life (John 3:3, 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17), which transforms our distorted view of human life (2 Corinthians 5:16; Romans 12:2). We affirm the dignity of all people, especially the vulnerable and overlooked (e.g., the unborn, foreigners, the mentally ill, the poor, the elderly, widows, orphans, and the incarcerated (Exodus 23:9; Matthew 25:36, 40; James 1:27, 2:1–4; Hebrews 13:3). As the Church, we seek to proclaim Christ by making disciples, and we seek to express His love by caring for people (e.g., assistance for the marginalized, individuals with disabilities, foster care and adoption, and elder care). At every opportunity, we seek to be peacemakers in our world (Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18).
Our Hope: The Present Gospel and the Coming Consummation
The gospel is the good news that God’s kingdom has come near in Jesus Christ, and through His life, ministry, death, resurrection, and enthronement, the powers of sin and death no longer have the last word. Since Jesus rose from the dead and will return to restore pre-Fall righteousness (Matthew 24:30; Titus 2:13–14), all will rise bodily from the dead and those who trust in Christ will live with Him forever (John 5:28–29; 1 Corinthians 15:20–24; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). Life, not death, will ultimately prevail, and Jesus will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4), fully vindicating the sanctity of life (Revelation 22:1–5).
Celebrate life!
Pastor Gregg