Whose Life Is Important? - Exodus 20:13; 21:22-25; 22:21-24; Deuteronomy 24:19; Matthew 5:21-22; Luke 20:47

A better question would be is there any life that is not important? It is sad to say that there are some that do not value their life personally, but there is no life that is UNIMPORTANT to our Savior. When I regress to my childhood days, the news of a murder was seldom and usually became the talk among all the neighbors for some time. I have noticed that during the last few months, there is news of a drive by shooting in Little Rock almost every day. Often the person actually murdered is not even the one that is being targeted. Life is so fickle, some just do not care who gets hurt. When life becomes cheap in the mind of a man, I often wonder what has any value at all.

Each year at this time the Baptist Churches all over the country review our study on the sanctity of life. It is sad, but this study seemed to have become a necessity sometime around the middle of the last century after the Row-Wade decision made it legal to take the life of an unborn child. It is really discouraging to a born again Christian to realize that lawyers and judges are so dumb that they do not understand when life begins. If they were asked if a grain of corn with a fresh sprout visible is dead or alive—they would readily admit that it is alive, and if planted in fertile soil, it will grow and reproduce corn.

However, they can not understand that the embryo of a child that has already sprouted arms, legs, and a head is also very much alive. Even though it is as alive as was John the Baptist while kicking in his mother’s womb, they do not understand that if that embryo is not murdered, it will grow into an adult and will be able to reproduce another human being. Where would Christianity be today if Elizabeth had become angry with John for kicking her, and aborted him? Lawyers can be very thankful that Jesus is not revengeful, lest many of them would have been the aborted. Forgive me, but I am not tolerant, even though I realize that I should be. Pray that God will also forgive me.

I wonder sometimes what criteria some people use to devalue life. Men of the Faith Builder’s Class please think about this and prepare to give the rest of us some examples. What has to be crossing the mind of a murderer when he takes the life of another person? Doctors that perform abortions are sensible enough to know that they are killing a live person. How do they justify first degree murder? Are they actually willing to take the life of an innocent child for the price they charge the family or mother who is consenting to the murder of her own child? God said: “YOU SHALL NOT KILL!” I suppose that I can answer my own question—I seem to remember that Judas betrayed our Savior into the hands of murderers for thirty pieces of silver. I wonder if the silver was equal in value to thirty American dollars. If so, that would be about the cost of a Sunday lunch for two at the Red Apple. Would you kill your worst enemy for a meal at the Red Apple? Would the charge be more for the murder of an innocent child?

If America becomes overpopulated and you are ask to compile a hit-list for the liberal courts to recommend for inhalations, who will head your list? Will unborn babies be first because thy can not defend themselves? What would your list look like? Would it include the elderly individuals that are no longer productive that are running up the cost of health services? How about homeless, uneducated and unproductive? How do you feel about the illegal aliens and ethnic groups that are different from you? Would they be on your list?

I realize that I am going to get down and dirty—and there are some who read this that will not appreciate what I am about to ask you. I feel sorry for you having to answer this question. While serving in the Illinois legislature, how did the new president vote regarding the life of a child that survived an attempted abortion? How does he feel about killing the unborn? As a Christian—how could you vote for him? Please, don’t tell me—just explain it to yourself and God.

Surprisingly, but not all Christians accept the view that life begins at conception. How is this possible, when it is clearly a bible teaching? Can you be a Christian and not believe the Bible to be the true word of God? This lesson’s goal is to help us certify that God’s commands and Jesus’ teaching consistently declare human life’s supreme value and to help us plan actions we will take to protect human life. Do you know why so many today are opposed to the Ten Commandments? They can not murder those they want to kill. They can not satisfy their own lust and satisfactions without penalty. They do not want to be told what they can and can not do without repercussions.

My friends, it is not enough that you do not commit murder, steal, and lie. You cannot keep the letter of the law and deny the spirit of the law. Jesus taught us that outward observance is not enough; Christians must give attention to their attitudes, thoughts, and emotions, for these are the origins of our sinful acts. Our behaviors begin within our hearts, and then are acted out overtly—therefore; the heart must be pure and sinless.

Exodus 20: 13 does not list any exceptions that you can claim; nor reasons that you can give—it simply says, “You shall not murder.”

Exodus 21:22 to 25 do not list any exceptions that you can claim; nor reasons that you can give—it simply says, “If you injure a pregnant woman and cause a premature birth, with no injury to the child, you are to be fined according to the demands of her husband with the court’s approval.” “But if there is serious injury, YOU ARE TO TAKE LIFE FOR LIFE, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise.” Dear Christian friend, this tells me that if anyone causes the death of an unborn child, they are to be executed.

Look back at the second paragraph on page two of this lesson. Did you list the alien as one that could be considered an undesirable? If you did, then you should read exodus 22: 21-24; and Deuteronomy 24: 17-22.

There will be some that study this lesson that will argue that these references used here are listed back in the Old Testament and are under the Old Covenant, and therefore, they are not relevant to our time in the twenty-first century. If you are one of these, I suggest that you go with me to the New Testament as recorded by Matthew in chapter five starting with the 21st verse. In his own words—Jesus does not agree with you—because He says: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ BUT I TELL YOU THAT ANYONE WHO IS ANGRY WITH HIS BROTHER WITHOUT CAUSE WILL BE SUBJECT TO JUDGMENT [or contempt]. Why would Jesus quote from the OT if he does not think it is relevant for those of us who are under his new covenant?

Christ thinks it relevant, and in fact he does not think the act of overt murder includes all of the reasons we should be concerned. We are not to let the sun go down on our anger toward another person. Gossiping lies can kill the good name of an innocent person. Harsh words, especially untruths will kill the self esteem of an innocent person. What Jesus has told us here is that you do not have to shoot a man, or stick the surgical scissors into the brain of an unborn child in order to commit murder; there are other ways to destroy a person.

You ladies and gentlemen, who are sitting on my jury, have every right to judge me regarding my interpretation of God’s word. And if you find that I am in error according to the scriptures, I invite you to let me know. I beg you to let me know! Bring your bible, with the scriptures that prove me wrong marked, and let us reason together. God’s word teaches me that as a teacher, I will be held accountable for any false or inaccurate teaching of the word. I pray every time I attempt to interpret the meanings of scriptures that I will not fail to please Jesus Christ. Oh, how I wish that I could have attended one of the best seminaries, so that I could have set under the teachings of the greatest bible teachers of today—or any day. I wish I could have been a great bible scholar. May God forgive me when I fail, and judge me only on my desire to be right!
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INVITATION: The lesson next week asks you the most important question that anyone can ever propose. ARE YOU READY? Please study the 5th chapter of Thessalonians and join us as we prepare to be ready.