When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
(Psalm 8:3-4)
David, as he looked into the vast expanse of the heavens, marvelled at the beauty, splendor and majesty of the created world around him. In comparison, his one life seemed insignificant and yet he understood the immeasurable value God places on every human life.
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.
(Psalm 8:5)
The Bible teaches that we are creatures made by God, in His image and blessed by Him and as such, we have incalculable worth. And because God, who is the author of life places such incredible value on every human being, we too must value life. Upholding the truth of the sanctity of life is foundational to our faith and it speaks loudly into the world in which we live today; a world where life has been devalued, where the rights and choices of the individual have usurped the plans and purposes of the Creator.
If the only basis by which we value a life is how we feel or a perceived right to individual choice, we are on a slippery slope. Without divine parameters in place giving nobility and worth to every life, from the moment we are conceived until we breath our last breath, the foundation for human dignity crumbles. If it’s just about our own agenda, our right to choose, we are on shaky ground, especially in a world that has lost its moral compass. Personal autonomy cannot serve as our foundation for our ethics, morality or theology. We believe the laws that govern our morality come from a divine Law-giver, they are written on our hearts and given for the betterment of society. When it comes to any perceived right to end a life, either at the beginning of life or at the end of life, man does not have the final say in these matters, God alone does.
For those of us who belong to Christ, who walk by faith, we have to ask, ‘what is our primary purpose as we live out our days on earth?’ The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
(6:19-20)
We are to honor God, even if doing so involves pain and suffering as our days draw to close. If we believe God is Sovereign, that He is the author of life; that He has numbered are days, each of us must ask, am I willing to surrender my life to God and allow Him to determine when and how I will leave this world?
When a diagnosis of a serious illness comes, such that pain and suffering may be in the offering, do I trust God’ grace will be sufficient, so that I could honor God with every ounce of strength He provides until I breathe my last breath, knowing that my passing from this life leads to life eternal in heaven.
Dr. John Dunlop as wisely observed: As a Christian physician dedicated to preserve life, I believe strongly that when there is genuine hope to recover an acceptable quality of life, we should fight death as an enemy and pursue health with all the wisdom, strength, and technology that God allows. At the same time, when death is inevitable, let us view death as a defeated enemy and not resist it. Let us change gears stop fighting, accept it, and thank God for the hope we have in Jesus
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
When our bodies have failed us and we are in our final days, courageously hanging on in faith, clinging to the hope that is ours in Christ, the promise of God is that He will walk with us. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. (Psalm 23:4 - NKJV)
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
As we lean into our faith in God and trust in His sustaining grace, we give a powerful testimony as to what we believe about the sanctity of life and about the mercy and kindness of our heavenly Father. Our trust in God sends a powerful message to our family and friends, to those inside and outside the community of faith about the value of human life and about the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus. And such faith brings honor and glory to our God!
May we at Valley support and encourage one another as we journey together, standing firm on the historical truths of our faith as found in His Word; and may we be a voice of truth and grace in world that has lost its way. May we people of people compassion and understanding for those on the path of suffering; and in all we do, may we be the presence of Christ for all to see.
(Psalm 8:3-4)
David, as he looked into the vast expanse of the heavens, marvelled at the beauty, splendor and majesty of the created world around him. In comparison, his one life seemed insignificant and yet he understood the immeasurable value God places on every human life.
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.
(Psalm 8:5)
The Bible teaches that we are creatures made by God, in His image and blessed by Him and as such, we have incalculable worth. And because God, who is the author of life places such incredible value on every human being, we too must value life. Upholding the truth of the sanctity of life is foundational to our faith and it speaks loudly into the world in which we live today; a world where life has been devalued, where the rights and choices of the individual have usurped the plans and purposes of the Creator.
If the only basis by which we value a life is how we feel or a perceived right to individual choice, we are on a slippery slope. Without divine parameters in place giving nobility and worth to every life, from the moment we are conceived until we breath our last breath, the foundation for human dignity crumbles. If it’s just about our own agenda, our right to choose, we are on shaky ground, especially in a world that has lost its moral compass. Personal autonomy cannot serve as our foundation for our ethics, morality or theology. We believe the laws that govern our morality come from a divine Law-giver, they are written on our hearts and given for the betterment of society. When it comes to any perceived right to end a life, either at the beginning of life or at the end of life, man does not have the final say in these matters, God alone does.
For those of us who belong to Christ, who walk by faith, we have to ask, ‘what is our primary purpose as we live out our days on earth?’ The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
(6:19-20)
We are to honor God, even if doing so involves pain and suffering as our days draw to close. If we believe God is Sovereign, that He is the author of life; that He has numbered are days, each of us must ask, am I willing to surrender my life to God and allow Him to determine when and how I will leave this world?
When a diagnosis of a serious illness comes, such that pain and suffering may be in the offering, do I trust God’ grace will be sufficient, so that I could honor God with every ounce of strength He provides until I breathe my last breath, knowing that my passing from this life leads to life eternal in heaven.
Dr. John Dunlop as wisely observed: As a Christian physician dedicated to preserve life, I believe strongly that when there is genuine hope to recover an acceptable quality of life, we should fight death as an enemy and pursue health with all the wisdom, strength, and technology that God allows. At the same time, when death is inevitable, let us view death as a defeated enemy and not resist it. Let us change gears stop fighting, accept it, and thank God for the hope we have in Jesus
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
When our bodies have failed us and we are in our final days, courageously hanging on in faith, clinging to the hope that is ours in Christ, the promise of God is that He will walk with us. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. (Psalm 23:4 - NKJV)
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
As we lean into our faith in God and trust in His sustaining grace, we give a powerful testimony as to what we believe about the sanctity of life and about the mercy and kindness of our heavenly Father. Our trust in God sends a powerful message to our family and friends, to those inside and outside the community of faith about the value of human life and about the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus. And such faith brings honor and glory to our God!
May we at Valley support and encourage one another as we journey together, standing firm on the historical truths of our faith as found in His Word; and may we be a voice of truth and grace in world that has lost its way. May we people of people compassion and understanding for those on the path of suffering; and in all we do, may we be the presence of Christ for all to see.
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