The Value of Life

The Value of Life: A Reflection on a Conversation About Abortion

Recently, I found myself in a brief yet emotionally stirring conversation with a single mother of two bright, beautiful young daughters. As we spoke, the topic of abortion came up—a subject fraught with controversy, tension, and emotional depth, particularly in Western culture today. She asked my opinion, and I felt led to share with honesty and compassion.

I gently expressed my belief that all human life begins at the moment of conception. From that foundational understanding, I shared that I believe no life should be taken by another, regardless of the circumstances. Human life is sacred—not because of its size, age, location, or level of development, but because it is made in the image of God. This conviction, I believe, is not rooted in culture or politics but in eternal truth.

Her response was abrupt. She told me our values do not align, and she could not imagine her daughters growing up without the freedom to choose. She ended the conversation there, and while I respected her right to disengage, I was left deeply pondering her final comment. I couldn’t help but notice the contradiction in her words. On one hand, she affirms the freedom to choose—even if that choice ends a life. On the other, she is raising two precious daughters whose own lives are full of beauty, potential, and hope. How can we say we value life, yet simultaneously defend the ability to end it?

This paradox runs deep in today’s society, where moral relativism often overrides objective truth. But as followers of Christ, we are not called to conform to cultural norms—we are called to speak truth in love, to uphold the sacredness of life, and to reflect the heart of God to the world.

1. Human Life Is Sacred Because It Is Made in the Image of God

At the very foundation of the Christian worldview is the belief that human life is not accidental or incidental—it is intentional, sacred, and designed by God Himself.

Genesis 1:27 declares, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” This imago Dei, the image of God, is what separates humans from all other created beings. We are not just physical organisms; we are spiritual, eternal beings endowed with purpose and value.

The Bible does not shy away from emphasizing life even before birth. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” God's awareness and intimate knowledge of human life does not begin at birth—it begins before conception. Every life, no matter how small, bears the fingerprint of God.

If we truly believe that life is sacred, then our ethics must reflect that truth. No one has the right to end a life that God Himself has created, no matter how small or unseen. To take life is to assume a role that belongs to God alone.

2. Human Life Has Purpose Before It Is Even Born

One of the most powerful testimonies to the value of life is the purpose God assigns to individuals even before they draw their first breath.

In Luke 1:41-44, we see the unborn John the Baptist leaping in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, approaches. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaims: “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” The unborn John not only existed but responded to the presence of the unborn Christ. Here we see not only life but spiritual awareness and calling within the womb.

God’s purposes are not confined to what we see. He weaves destinies before a person is born. Psalm 139, one of the most poetic affirmations of divine creation, proclaims in verses 13-16:

“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb... My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place... Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”

Each child conceived has a God-given story, a reason for existing, a life intended to bring glory, hope, and light to the world. Who are we to deny them the right to live out that purpose?

3. The Call to Defend the Voiceless and Vulnerable

In a world where the powerful often dominate and the vulnerable are overlooked, Scripture continually reminds us of our responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs us: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” The unborn are the most voiceless, defenseless members of society. They rely on the protection of those outside the womb for their very existence.

God’s heart breaks for injustice, especially when it comes at the cost of innocent blood. Proverbs 6:16-17 lists seven things the Lord hates, including “hands that shed innocent blood.” The unborn fit that category with tragic precision. They are innocent, blameless, and entirely at the mercy of others.

As believers, we are not called to stay silent in the face of such injustice. Even if our voices shake or cost us popularity, we must speak truth—not with anger or judgment, but with compassion, grace, and deep conviction.

A Culture of Confusion

The conversation with the young mother brought a sobering clarity to the cultural divide we face. She loved her daughters dearly—of that, I have no doubt. And yet, she supported the idea that her daughters should be able to choose abortion one day, should they wish to. This contradiction isn’t unique to her; it reflects a broader confusion in our society: a culture that wants to affirm life and dignity while simultaneously allowing the most vulnerable to be eliminated.

The root of this conflict lies in a faulty definition of freedom. Freedom, in its truest form, is not the ability to do whatever we want. Freedom is the ability to do what is right. Jesus said in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Truth and freedom are inseparable. A choice that ends another human life is not an act of freedom—it’s a tragic misuse of it.

Ironically, we live in a world that champions tolerance and choice but struggles to accept truth and consequence. We elevate autonomy, yet suppress conscience. And in doing so, we risk creating a generation that sees life as disposable and morality as relative.

Hope Through Grace

Still, in all of this, there is hope. The gospel is a message of grace and redemption—even in the face of past mistakes, even for those who have made decisions they now regret. The cross covers every sin. Jesus does not stand at the door to condemn, but to redeem and restore.

Many women carry silent pain from abortions in their past. If you are one of them, know this: there is forgiveness in Christ. 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

God is a God of life—and that includes new life, healing life, and restored purpose. The church must not only speak against abortion but also be a place of refuge for women in crisis and grace for those seeking healing.

Conclusion: Why Human Life Matters

In a single moment, that brief conversation with a mother who loves her daughters reminded me of the importance of standing firm in truth—compassionately, prayerfully, and clearly. The value of life is not a political issue. It is a spiritual one. And as stewards of truth, we are called to:

Affirm that all life is sacred because it is created in the image of God.
Recognize that every life has God-given purpose from the moment of conception.
Defend the voiceless, especially the unborn, with grace and conviction.

We are living in times where the lines between right and wrong are increasingly blurred. But we follow a Savior who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). And in His light, we must walk—even if the road is lonely, misunderstood, or rejected.

My prayer is that more conversations, though difficult, would lead to softened hearts. That those who disagree with us might still see Christ’s love in us. And that every life—seen or unseen—would be honored, protected, and celebrated for the precious gift that it is.

Sunday, 13 April 2025