I
don’t know about you, but sometimes I can forget that humanity is the result of
divine purpose. I can tend to ride roughshod
over those around me as I insist on my way and pushing my ideas. I can see
myself as God’s special son, yet, from a biblical perspective, all of humanity has
been created in God’s likeness and image, not just me Gen 1:26. This truth can
(and should) help us to see the sanctity of life
from God’s perspective.
We
have no right to devalue, damage or destroy those made in God’s image and likeness. But since the fall of humanity (Genesis 3 and 4), we have done just
that, beginning with Cain’s murder of Abel. In the Torah, it stated, “You must
not murder” (Ex 20:13 NLT). Throughout history, mankind has continued to
mistreat others.
Jesus Christ quoted this passage from
Exodus as He pointed out that murder begins in the heart (Matt 5:21). He took
things to a whole new level when He said:
“But
I say if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you
call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And
if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (Matt 5:22 NLT).
In
other words, we can murder someone in our hearts before we ever use our hands
or a weapon. Those around us are made in
God’s image and likeness. What gives us
the right to devalue, damage or destroy anyone?
Pause in His
presence for a moment and think this over…
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