Whose Life Does God Value Most?

Network host Matt McBrayer discusses this important topic.

For some, the question of “Whose Life Does God Value Most?”, may seem like a ridiculous question, but others already have an answer. Let’s look into this question. As we go through this thought, we will look at some common situations in which some people consider one life to be more valuable than another.

Adults Over Children?

It is no secret that this is an issue in American society. Abortion has been a controversial topic for years and has been the subject of many political debates as well as sermons from your local pulpit. Questions have arisen around this issue as people try to determine if and when this is acceptable. Medical language (and societal language) on the topic has morphed over time to allow for people to feel more comfortable when discussing abortion. Is it a baby in the womb or is it merely a fetus? Look up the definition of this word for a surprising realization.

There are two main arguments that those in support of abortion like to make. First is asking the question of whether or not the baby in the womb is actually life or not. The point of this writing is not to discuss this aspect, but the Bible clearly speaks to these things (Lev. 17:11; Psa. 139:14; Psa. 22:9-11). The second argument is the one that we need to think about at this time. This argument has been more prevalent in recent years and it begs the question of whose life is more important, the mother or the child?

Is the mother’s life more important than that of her unborn child? Going through the scriptures you will find that there is no distinction made between that of adults and children as far as the sanctity of human life. Life originated with God and we are created in His image (Gen. 1) and all life is precious in the sight of God (Ex. 20:13; Prov. 6:16-19). There is no greater emphasis in the Bible collectively of choosing adults over children because we are all God’s creation, and the lives of children are just as precious as adults.

One Ethnicity Over Another?

Is one ethnicity valued more by God than another? Is one group of people better than another in the eyes of God? If you think about it, this is not really a silly question. For about as long as we can recall, both in historical documents as well as the scriptures, you will see prejudice based on different circumstances. In many places around the world this plays out in different ways. In some darker skinned societies, the size and shapes of noses mattered, or the darkness of the skin itself. In the United States we have had times of great prejudice based on the color of skin in its association to the perceived value of a person. These things ought not to be, but what does the Bible say?

Galatians 3:27-28 helps us tremendously with this thought. An emphasis is made on all being under Christ now and that there is no division of Jew and Greek. The Jews often thought as elitists do, considering themselves as the only chosen of God. They certainly had a law unto themselves, but that was not the ultimate plan. The plan was to bring all man to Christ one day and the book of Galatians is beautifully written to this end. Furthermore, while we are united in Christ, Jews today are not any more special than they were in times past. The importance today is not if you were born a Jew, but if you’ve been born again (John 3). The question is not if you are a part of Israel, but spiritual Israel (Gal. 6:16).

Men Over Women?

     In the same passage discussed above (Gal. 3:27-28) we see another categorization we need to discuss. Are the lives of men more valuable than the lives of women? Again, the answer is in the text. It does not matter if you are a man or a woman because we are all valuable in Christ. We are all the same. While we cannot get into a lengthy discussion of women’s roles here, I would like to suggest that the roles that men and women have in the church are suited for them respectively. God does not value men over women, we just have different roles. Remember, we are all one in Christ Jesus.

Saved Over Lost?

Years ago, I preached at a small congregation. It was my first full-time work as a preacher. I was excited and was doing everything I could to study and present sound lessons and reach as many lost people as possible. Evangelistically, it was a great work, but there were some brethren who were seemingly jealous that I wasn’t spending my time going around and visiting their family (which made up a majority of the congregation). One of the respected men of the congregation reprimanded me concerning my evangelistic efforts and said, “We are more important than they are!” That is another good question. Are Christians more important than the lost?

The short answer is absolutely not. As a matter of fact, the opposite is true. Jesus said the sick need the physician (Luke 5:31) and in multiples times in Luke 15 we see the thought of the importance of one. Twice in the same chapter we see that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents. Now, before anyone gets too upset, we realize that Christians are valued, but the urgency of trying to save as many as you can is prevalent here. We understand this in a physical sense. If you went into the emergency room and had a thorn embedded in your hand and someone else comes in bleeding profusely, who do you think should be seen first? Again, we realize that all life is valuable, but the issue is more an issue of urgency. In this regard, it is more profitable to think of the lost rather than the saved.

The Life and Death of Christ

     Ultimately it boils down to this one thought. The most valuable life that there has ever been was the life of Christ. It is by His life that we know how to live (John 14:6). He is our greatest Motivation in living like Him (Acts 17:28), and it is because of His life that His death has made all the difference (1 Pet. 3:18; 1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 3:5). We know that Jesus is going to come again to take those who are saved with Him (Heb. 9:28), because the Father has loved us enough to send His only Son to die for us and take away our sins (1 John 4:10).

Whose life does God value most? That would be His son. Knowing this, what does that suggest about God offering His son as a sacrifice for our sins? It makes the sacrifice of Jesus the ultimate sacrifice (John 3:16-17; 1 John 2:2).

Thank you to Matt McBrayer for this excellent article on this needed subject.

https://linktr.ee/scatteredabroadnetwork