The Sanctity of Human Life

In one of his final acts before leaving office, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation declaring Friday, January 22nd, as “National Sanctity of Human Life Day.”

This celebration of life coincides with the anniversary of Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court’s 1973 landmark decision that allows a pregnant woman to abort her unborn child. Since then over 61 million unborn lives have been snuffed out, according to the American Life League.

“Every human life is a gift to the world,” the President wrote. “Whether born or unborn, young or old, healthy or sick, every person is made in the holy image of God.”

“The Almighty Creator gives unique talents, beautiful dreams, and a great purpose to every person,” the proclamation affirmed. “On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we celebrate the wonder of human existence and renew our resolve to build a culture of life where every person of every age is protected, valued, and cherished.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. will be scaled back to a small group of supporters while urging the rest to watch a livestream of the event. Among the scheduled speakers are former NFL player Tim Tebow and Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family.

For ThePreachersWord abortion is not a political issue. Or a Republican or Democrat talking point. It is a spiritual issue based on Biblical principles and precepts.

Advocates of abortion like to speak of a woman’s fetus, as if it’s some inanimate clump of tissue. A non-person. In fact, Justice Harry Blackmun, in the 1973 decision argued that a fetus was not a person and thus has no rights that can run counter to the right to privacy.

The Bible uses the expression “with child” 26 times to refer to pregnant women. The term fetus is never used. Luke, the physician, records that Elisabeth, the mother of John, the Immerser, conceived a son (1:35). In verse 41 the doctor wrote, “the baby leaped in her womb.” The baby. Not the fetus. It is the same Greek word that Luke uses to describe Jesus after he was born (2:12, 16). God views the unborn baby and the newborn baby in the same way. Both are living human beings.

In the midst of his suffering Job cries out, “Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child. Like infants who never saw light?” (3:16). The unborn child is called an infant.

Describing the greatness of Jehovah’s power and majesty, the Psalmist, David, identifies himself as a person, unborn in his mother’s womb.

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
(Psalm 139:13-16)

Abortion eliminates a life as abortionist Dr. Benjamin Kalish admitted. “Even now I feel a little peculiar about it, because as a physician I was trained to conserve life, and here I am destroying it.”

While Roe v Wade may never be overturned, and the laws of men continue to allow the slaughter of innocent unborn children, we can respect the law of God, be a voice for the voiceless, and honor the sanctity of life. All life.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman