Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…. —Ephesians 4:15
“All human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to support, defend, protect, and value all human life.” -ChangePoint’s Core Beliefs (Draft)
WHAT DOES TRUTH SAY?
1. Every person has incalculable worth!
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. —Genesis 1:27
“Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. 5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. 6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
—Isaiah 43:4
2. Pre-born children are seen and loved by God.
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. —Psalm 139:13
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.” —Jeremiah 1:4-5
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.—Luke 1:39-44
3. Life and death decisions belong to God.
“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” —Genesis 9:6
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed [ordained] for me, when as yet there was none of them. —Psalm 139:16
WHAT DOES LOVE REQUIRE?
1. We submit to God’s truth ourselves.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” —John 14:15
2. We share God’s truth with others.
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…. —Ephesians 4:15
3. We love our “enemies.”
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27
4. We bring God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:13
5. We provide support.
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? James 2:15
6. We defend the defenseless.
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Proverbs 31:8
7. We trust God for the outcome.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3