By Glenn Metts
Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, Seymour
Focal Passage: Deuteronomy 5:17; 19:4-13
God is our Creator and highly values all life. Indeed, our value as human beings is evident in the Word of God. A beautiful Scripture that reminds us of the value of human life is Genesis 1:26. God’s Word says, “Let us make man in our image … .” Could there be a more beautiful statement regarding human life?
The triune God head determined together to create human life. Each human being is created in the image of God. How can it be that we have drifted so far in our society from valuing each individual from the baby in the womb to the oldest adult? God values life regardless of ethnicity, economic status, age or disabilities. Indeed, God values human life and expects His people to value it as well.
God’s Word is clear. We as God’s people believe the Bible to be the authoritative, inerrant and inspired Word of God. With that said, we are to value all human life from conception to the oldest adult regardless of age, race, nationality, religious beliefs or disabilities.
Our Scripture for our lesson this week is Deuteronomy 5:17 and 19:4-13. In Genesis 5:17, the Scripture says, “You shall not murder.” As we read in Deuteronomy 19:4-13, verse 13 makes the value of life clear as Israel was instructed, “… but you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with you.” As Christians, we too must value the life of every human being.
God defines the value of each individual, not man. I can’t help but think of two families that are dear to me in South Carolina. One family has a 40-plus year old daughter that has never spoken.
Glenn Metts
She has many learning disabilities and yet she has contributed so much joy to her family. They all love her dearly. Although she is not able to communicate verbally, she is able to do some sign language and her smile is infectious. She loves everyone! She has taught all who know her the joy of living and how to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. What a gift she has been to all who know her.
Another family, related to the first family I spoke of, also had a mentally disabled daughter. Her disability was much more severe. She lived to be around 10 years old. In her short life span, she also brought joy to her family. She would respond to her parents, her brother and sister, and her grandparents by smiling when they would talk or sing to her.
She taught us to be content and take each day as it comes. It was easy to see that God had a purpose for this precious one as He does for us all.
Yes, God has a purpose for us all. I saw a sign that is so true. It said this, “Not a mistake. Not a problem. Not a burden. Not an inconvenience. Not a nuisance. Not an accident. Not a punishment. A Miracle.” All of life is a miracle.
Each human being is created in the very image of God. That miracle began for us all in the mind of God before any of us came to be. Psalm 139:16 says, “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.”
God help us to show forth your glory and your love by valuing all human life from the womb to the oldest adult, from the weak to the strong, from the sick to the whole. You my friend, are valued by God. You are not an accident. You are loved. Let us love and value all human life the way God values us. B&R — Metts is pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Seymour.
