Thoughts: Today there is a devaluing of human life. Part of this devaluing is not recognizing that we are more than just a collection of molecules- but a human soul. Part of this devaluing is a forgetting that there is a Giver of Life- and each life is a precious gift. For many the main value of life is not the human, but what the human can do for others, or the cost of a human life. In 2011 a cost of a human life by the EPA was valued at $9.1 million; the FDA at $7.9 million, the DOT is $6.1 million. Yet there are some that say the value of a human life is less than zero if it is in the womb. This was the meaning of a New York law allowing abortion up to the time of birth. Literally a woman could be in labor- with the baby trying to get out and the woman ask that the baby be killed for any and every reason. Virginia tried to pass similar legislation and Rhode Island tried to as well. But the devaluing of human life shows in euthanasia. But the value of a human soul is lost. In Genesis Moses was given a covenant by God. But here it reminds us that God, as the Creator of life, values life. The reason is that "God made man in his own image." In other words- there is a bit of the Creator imprinted on each of us. Brunner and Barth describes the image of God as the ability to form complex spiritual and loving relationships- like loving God and loving others. Love is a mystery that is hard to predict or control. We cannot predict how another human being will love or even how we will love that human being. Killing destroys the ability to love, and destroys the image of God. Human life is invaluable because we cannot duplicate it. Each person is unique- with unique DNA, fingerprints, eye prints and more. We need to respect the unique value of others.
Prayer: Lord, help me to value others and value your image in them.
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