The biblical meaning of the “right to life” is rooted in the belief that all human life is sacred and created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), indicating that life has intrinsic value and should be protected. Additionally, commandments such as “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) highlight the importance of preserving and respecting human life.
Scripture
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Biblical Perspective on the Right to Life
The biblical concept of the “right to life” emphasizes the inherent dignity and worth of every human being as created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This foundation establishes that life is not merely a biological occurrence but a divine gift, underscoring humanity’s unique relationship with the Creator. The imago Dei (image of God) confers a sanctity upon life, as seen in verses such as Psalm 139:13-16, where the psalmist expresses awe over God’s intimate design of individuals in the womb. This perspective inherently calls for the protection of life at all stages, affirming that life is a sacred trust defined by both its creation and the moral responsibility entrusted to humanity.
Furthermore, the commandment “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) serves as a direct moral imperative to respect and protect human life. This commandment is not solely about refraining from taking life but implies a broader responsibility to nurture and uphold life in all contexts. Verses such as Proverbs 31:8-9 advocate for speaking up for the voiceless and defending those who cannot defend themselves, thereby extending the right to life beyond mere existence to encompass justice, support, and compassion for all individuals. Thus, the biblical right to life transcends a prohibition against murder; it calls believers to actively engage in the preservation and enhancement of life, advocating for the vulnerable and working towards a society that honors the intrinsic value bestowed by God upon every individual.
The biblical understanding of the “right to life” is further illuminated by the teachings of Jesus, who placed immense value on every individual’s worth and their place in the Kingdom of God. In passages like Matthew 18:10-14, He emphasizes that each person is precious, likening them to a lost sheep worth seeking out. This highlights a divine acknowledgment of life that fosters a responsibility among believers to actively protect and seek out those who are marginalized or in peril, reinforcing the notion that life is a gift meant to be cherished and preserved.
Additionally, the covenantal framework presented in scripture illustrates the community’s role in upholding life. Throughout the Bible, there are repeated calls for justice, mercy, and kindness, which imply a collective duty to safeguard human dignity. Micah 6:8 famously calls believers to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God,” suggesting that the right to life is intricately connected to broader social ethics. Here, the Biblical mandate encourages a holistic view of life that champions not just the preservation of existence, but also the flourishing of the whole person in a just society, wherein every individual is valued and cared for, thereby reflecting God’s love and intention for humanity.
The Sanctity of Human Life
The Bible emphasizes the inherent value and dignity of human life, suggesting that each person is created with a unique purpose and worth. This belief underlines the idea that life is a divine gift, deserving of respect and protection. The sanctity of life is a foundational principle that informs ethical considerations regarding issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment, advocating for the preservation and reverence of life in all its stages.
The Call to Protect the Vulnerable
Scriptural teachings often highlight the responsibility of individuals and communities to care for the most vulnerable members of society, including the unborn, the elderly, and the marginalized. This call to protect those who cannot protect themselves reflects a broader understanding of the right to life, extending beyond mere existence to encompass the quality of life and the need for justice and compassion in society. It encourages believers to advocate for policies and practices that uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals.
The Role of Community in Upholding Life
The Bible presents a vision of community where individuals are called to support one another in their pursuit of life and well-being. This communal aspect emphasizes that the right to life is not solely an individual matter but a collective responsibility. Believers are encouraged to foster environments that promote life, love, and mutual support, reinforcing the idea that a thriving community is essential for the flourishing of all its members.
How to Honor Human Dignity in Christian Living
Honoring human dignity in our Christian lives is a profound calling that invites us to see the image of God in every person we encounter. It begins with cultivating a heart of compassion and empathy, recognizing that each individual carries their own struggles and stories. As we engage with others, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we should strive to treat everyone with respect and kindness, reflecting Christ’s love in our actions and words. This means listening actively, offering support, and standing up against injustice, as Jesus did. Remember, honoring human dignity is not just about grand gestures; it’s often found in the small, everyday choices we make to uplift and affirm those around us. By embodying this principle, we not only enrich our own faith journey but also contribute to a world that mirrors the love and grace of our Creator.
Bible References to Right to Life:
Genesis 2:7: 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
Exodus 20:13: 13 “You shall not murder.”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20: 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Psalm 139:13-16: 13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Isaiah 49:1-5: 1 Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.
2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver he hid me away.
3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.”
5 And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength—
Jeremiah 1:4-5: 4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Matthew 5:21-22: 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’”
22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Matthew 6:25-34: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
John 10:10: 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Acts 17:24-28: 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man.
25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
Romans 8:38-39: 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20: 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 John 3:14-18: 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.