Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

Author's Introduction: My submissions to Gentle Reformation are "(extremely) short journalism" in comparison with others so an explanation is in order. As I've mentioned in previous posts, my privilege of a monthly column in our local paper was revoked last year and my only opportunity to bear witness there is through letters to the editor. Though very limited in space and kind, I am persuaded that it is an opportunity I should seize. And, I hope that these letters will be an encouragement to others to seek and seize the same opportunity in their local papers. Finally, for the readers of GR, I provided references that I did not provide in the paper but invited readers to ask for as you will see below.

This Sunday is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS). It is a suitable time to remember what God has revealed in His Son Jesus, by their Holy Spirit and through the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14-17):

1. God created man in His own moral image in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Gen.1:26; Eph.4:24)

2. God created the female out of the male so that they have the capacity for oneness in the bearing of children. (Gen.2:23,24; 4:1; Ps.127,128)

3. God identifies conception as the moment at which distinctly personal human life begins. (Ps.139:13; 51:5)

4. God prohibits the murder of His image bearers and mandates temporal death for murderers. (Gen.9:6; Mt.5:21f)

5. God holds a special abhorrence and wrath against those who murder children, especially their own. (Deut.12:31; Ps.106:35-38; Ezk.23:37)

6. God graciously provides an escape from His wrath at the final judgment even for murderers. (1Cor.6:9-11)

7. God delivers us from His wrath by the death of His Son for our sin and gives us entrance into His favor by the life of His Son for our righteousness. (2Cor.5:21)

If you desire Scripture references for these points, or more information about peace with God through Jesus, make a request at rpcfulton@gmail.com.

Kit Swartz