Honouring God by Honouring Human Life

 Honouring God by Honouring Human Life

Murder is one of the gravest sins because it defies the very nature of God and his creation. From a biblical standpoint, the sanctity of life is rooted in the fact that humans are made in God's image. This truth, woven throughout scripture, provides a foundation for why we must not take life lightly, whether through hatred, revenge, or other means. Let us explore key teachings from the Bible that guide us in valuing and protecting human life.

The Image of God in Man

In Genesis 9:6, we find a clear declaration of why murder is wrong: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image."

This echoes the creation account in Genesis 1:26-27, where God created humanity in his image, setting us apart with unique dignity and worth. To take another’s life is to attack the image of God himself.

A Call to Love, Not Hate

Hatred is condemned in the Bible as a root of murder. Leviticus 19:17 instructs: "You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbour, lest you incur sin because of him."

Jesus further clarified who our neighbour is through the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). When asked, "Who is my neighbour?" the answer was simple: anyone God places in your path. This challenges us to act with compassion and love, even toward strangers or enemies.

No Room for Revenge

Revenge is not ours to take. Proverbs 25:21-22 encourages us to respond to our enemies with kindness:

"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you." 

The apostle Paul echoes this in Romans 12:19: "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’"

Not Harming Ourselves

Preserving life also means not harming ourselves. Romans 13:11-14 warns against destructive behaviours and urges us to walk in the light of Christ. Self-inflicted harm, whether physical or spiritual, goes against God’s call to honour the life he has given us.

The Role of Government

God has given governments the responsibility to maintain justice and prevent murder. Romans 13:4 speaks of authorities as God’s servants, bearing the sword to punish wrongdoers and uphold righteousness.

Beyond the Act: Envy and Hatred

The Bible also warns against the attitudes that lead to murder. Envy and hatred are destructive forces that must be addressed. Proverbs 14:30 states: "A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."

In the New Testament, envy and hatred are listed among the works of the flesh (Romans 1:29; Galatians 5:19-21). James 1:20 reminds us that human anger does not produce the righteousness of God, and 1 John 3:15 equates hatred with murder: "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."

A Call to Love Our Neighbour

The antidote to hatred and envy is love. Jesus taught this through the second greatest commandment:

"You shall love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).

The Golden Rule, found in Matthew 7:12, calls us to treat others as we wish to be treated. Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:12 to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience—qualities that reflect God’s love.

Modern Applications in Canada

The sanctity of life applies to pressing ethical issues in our society, including abortion, euthanasia, and medical assistance in dying.

Abortion

Taking the life of an unborn child is a grave matter. Scriptures such as Psalm 139:13-16 affirm God’s intimate knowledge and care for us even before birth. Psalm 31:14-15 reminds us that our times are in God’s hands, not ours. At the same time, these truths can offer comfort to those grieving a miscarriage, as God’s covenant extends to believers and their children.

Euthanasia (Mercy-Killing)

 The Book of Job underscores God’s sovereignty over life and death: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).

There is an important distinction between passive and active euthanasia. The former involves allowing the natural process of dying, while the latter actively ends a life—an act that belongs to God alone.

Medical Assistance in Dying

The same biblical principles apply to this issue. Life is sacred, and our role is to trust in God’s timing and care, even in suffering.

Conclusion

Murder, in all its forms—whether through action, hatred, or neglect of love—contradicts God’s design for humanity. We are called to reflect his image by valuing life, loving our neighbours, and trusting him in all things. Let us strive to live in obedience to these truths, honouring the God who is the giver of life.

(Based on lessons given to the Karen Zoom community on June 17 and July 8, 2021)

 

Carthage must be detroyed!

Cato the Elder (ca. 234 BC-149 BC) has gone down in history as the Roman Senator said to have concluded every speech, no matter the topic, with the words, "Furthermore, I consider that Carthage must be destroyed" (in Latin" Ceterum censeo Carthaginem delendam esse"). The possible narrative is compelling: “Mr. Speaker, our sewer system is the shame of Rome. My party demands that the government allocate a significant sum of money in next year's budget to improve Roman sewers. Furthermore and in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I consider that Carthage must be destroyed!”

Carthage, a Phoenician seafaring city-state in Africa, and Rome were ancient rivals just across the Mediterranean Sea from each other. Rome had suffered a number of humiliating defeats at the hands of Carthage. An attitude demanding vengeance and the total defeat of Carthage grew in Rome and was expressed in these immortal words: “Carthage must be destroyed.” Finally, in the Third Battle of Carthage Rome did utterly destroy its mortal enemy and even sowed the ruins with salt. Never again did Carthage pose a threat to Rome.

Location of Carthage

There is a lesson to be learned from Cato the Elder. If we continue to say the same thing, attitudes will change. If we keep saying that life begins at conception and that to kill by abortion is murder, attitudes will begin to change. Witness, for example, the positive op-ed on the CBC News web page. Also this, last night's CBC At Issue Panel (begin at 4:15). The Canadian Liberal government has said that organizations applying for the summer job grants program must agree that they respect charter rights, including “women's reproductive rights.” The office of the employment minister said that without confirming that they are pro-choice, an organization will not receive funding. The writer of the op-ed chides the government for this. The CBC News opinion piece is a small win for the pro-life cause, and all the more surprising when once remembers that the CBC is Canada's state broadcaster.

The pro-life movement in Canada is strong and getting stronger. Think of the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, ARPA Canada, WeNeedaLaw, Campaign Life Coalition, Christian Heritage Party, etc. There are many groups and people saying: “Canada's abortion regime must end.”

William Wilberforce (1759 –1833), a British MP, said for years that the African slave trade must end. He said it, he announced, he stated it, until, finally, and shortly before his death, the slave trade ended.

He spoke until “Carthage was destroyed.” Let us speak up for the unborn until “Carthage is destroyed.”

A pro-choice defense of Planned Parenthood -- satire alert.

Please watch this.

The New Abortion Caravan

The June 27^th, 2012, Canada Newswire (newswire.ca) article, “Pro-Choice Counter Protest to Anti-Abortion ‘Caravan,’” repeats a number of common falsehoods.

It says that Canada has a strong pro-choice majority. This is not borne out by the polls. The opinion polls of the last decade, Leger, Gallup, Environics, Angus Reid, and EKOS all demonstrate that Canadian opinion is split, and that the pro-choice side holds a slim, not a strong, majority.  In fact, when informed that Canada has no law or restriction on abortion whatsoever, a strong majority of Canadians oppose the status quo. 

The article quotes Carolyn Egan of the Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics (OCAC) who says, "The issue of woman's legal right to safe and accessible abortion services has been settled in 1988 by the Supreme Court of Canada."

This is not true. In 1988 the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) struck down the prohibition of abortions because of the unfortunate patchwork of laws on abortion. Laws varied from province to province, regulations differed from hospital to hospital, and wealthy women, who had access to private clinics, had options that other women did not. The majority of the SCC held that “the structure of the system regulating access to therapeutic abortions is manifestly unfair.” The provisions were held to violate the principles of fundamental justice and were struck down because of their inconsistency, leaving Canada with a legislative vacuum to this day. All seven judges stated that Parliament has a legitimate interest in protecting the unborn child and that Parliament ought to rewrite the law.  Several attempts were made by Mulroney governments; however, they failed, and since then the statutory void has continued to exist. At present, women do not have a constitutional right to an abortion; there simply is no law on abortion, for or against.

Jordana Greenblatt, of OCAC, says: "The debate is over; safe legal abortion is here to stay in Canada." Ms. Greenblatt is wrong: the debate is just getting started again. Stay tuned! Ms. Greenblatt opines that all people should “…have equal access to safe, legal, free, and local abortion services.” Abortions are never free. On average, an abortion costs $800 (AbortionInCanada.ca), and taxpayers foot the bill.

Ms. Greenblatt is revolted that some parts of the pro-life movement use placards and billboards of graphic images of aborted fetuses alongside images of genocides such as the Holocaust and the Rwandan massacres. She writes, “As a Jewish woman, I am appalled that they would exploit the historical genocide of my people to try to challenge my rights as a human being, guaranteed under the Charter."

Ms. Greenblatt does not seem to appreciate that the world needed to see the appalling images of the Holocaust before it said, “Never again.” As Canadians see the disturbing images of dismembered babies, they will more and more be disgusted by the procedure itself and not just the photographs, and soon they will say, “Never again.”

George van Popta

Ottawa

Linda Gibbons

Thankfully, the press is starting to speak in defence of Linda Gibbons, Canada`s political prisoner.

The most dangerous woman in Canada

Here is a photo of the dangerous Linda Gibbons, who for the sake of the security of Canadian society must be kept in prison, busy with her activity that poses such a dire threat to our fair land and all its citizens.

Staggering hypocrisy

In today's NP:

No justice

Re: Court Rules Against Abortion Protester, June 9.

Linda Gibbons has been in and out of prison for more than a decade for repeatedly standing within the proscribed 150-metre bubble zone around Toronto abortion clinics. The 63-year-old diminutive grandmother protests quietly holding a sign that says: “Why, mom, when I have so much love to give?” Time after time she is arrested for breaking the law though she is hurting no one. The liberal intelligentsia has labelled her dangerous and evil.

Meanwhile, Quebec students continue to strike, wreaking havoc upon society at many levels, yet Canadian unions and the United Church of Canada give them their support.

One group of protesters, creating chaos and hurting a whole province in many ways, is strongly supported by the unions and the United Church; a lone protester, inconveniencing no one, is thrown under a bus. The hypocrisy is staggering.

George van Popta, Ottawa.

Pix of the March for Life

Here a number of us from Jubilee Church, plus our two daughters from Hamilton, are at Parliament Hill for the Pro-Life Rally and the March for Life. This year there were an estimated 12,000 people -- a record number. Not bad considering we stood and walked in the rain and wind for several hours. It was good. A number of pro-life MPs spoke. Good for them!

At one point on Elgin street, we walked by a group of 30 vicious hecklers. The police were keeping them at bay as if they were a pack of pit bulls.