The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the sanctity of human life are deeply intertwined.

Mara Petro
5 days ago
7 min read

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of God's love and redemption for everyone who believes in Him. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus offers salvation to everyone who confesses with their mouth and believes in their heart that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9). This grace also proclaims the deep value of every human life.

Every person is made in the image of God, as we will read in Genesis 1:27. This truth emphasizes the intrinsic value of all human life, rendering it sacred. Recognizing this belief should prompt us to protect life at every stage, from conception until natural death. A study found that 80% of individuals who understand their value in God's eyes are more likely to advocate for the unborn.

In this post, I present five foundational Biblical principles that support the truth that the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the sanctity of human life are deeply intertwined.

1) God’s Creation of Man in His Image:

In Genesis 1:26-27, God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

This unique status of being created in the image and likeness of God shows the inherent dignity and value of every person, distinguishing us from all other creatures.

Genesis 2:7 says,^“Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”

Psalm 139:13-16 gives a beautiful glimpse into the 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 fashioned for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

The act of God breathing life into Adam and the affirmation that every person (each one of us) is intimately known and formed by God from the womb further underscores the sacredness of human life.

2) The Incarnation of Jesus and the Redemption of man:

The fact that Jesus took on human flesh is the ultimate affirmation of the sanctity of human life: it reveals that every human being, at every stage of life, possesses a dignity so great that God Himself chose to share in it, redeem it, and elevate it.

Here’s where the gospel comes in: the eternal Son of God took on human nature, becoming like us in every way except for sin. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin, spent nine months developing there, was born, grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. He lived a perfect, sinless life, suffered greatly, and died the most gruesome death on a cross—as a human being, in our place, to save us from our sins.

This miraculous act demonstrates that God not only loves us but deems human life (our life)—at every stage and in every circumstance—worthy of His presence and participation.

Sanctification of human life at all stages: By entering the world as a vulnerable embryo, a dependent infant, and living through every phase of human existence, Jesus sanctified every moment of human life from conception to death. Christ’s humanity began at conception, emphasizing that human life is sacred from its very beginning.
Dignity Bestowed on Human Nature: The Incarnation of Jesus means that human nature itself was united to the divine. This union bestows a unique dignity on every human being, as God did not consider humanity unworthy but instead chose to unite Himself with it. This act raises human nature to a higher dignity, underscoring that all human life is precious and worthy of respect.

3) Universal Value and Love:

Jesus’ life and teachings consistently demonstrate the value of every person, regardless of their status, health, circumstances, or location (both within and outside the womb). Commands such as “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) and “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34) call ALL Christians (not just our Pastors on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday) to recognize and honor the sacredness of every human life

4) Moral Responsibility:

Our Lord and Savior’s incarnation demonstrates the sacredness of life at every stage. Scripture clearly states that Christians are called to uphold the dignity of life from beginning to end, and this should shape our attitude and response to abortion. The commandment “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) is based on the belief that life is sacred; thus, we have laws against murder.

God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning to its end—life belongs to the Lord. No one has the right to end it.

No one—no woman, man, or doctor—can ever claim the right to destroy an innocent human being. It’s not a right—it’s a great wrong that we need to correct.

God’s Word is clear in Deuteronomy 30:15,19: “See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil…Therefore, choose life, that you and your descendants may live.”

And in Proverbs 24:11-12, Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”

We are obligated to intervene and help those being led away to death. Even if it requires personal risk.

Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute (being crushed, appointed to die). Speak up, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

God’s word urges us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Followers of Jesus are called to advocate for the vulnerable and oppressed, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.

Who’s more vulnerable among us than the unborn child?

As Christians and former embryos, we have a moral duty to act justly and show compassion to the vulnerable and help those in imminent danger.

No one is in greater danger than the child in the womb.

5) Redemption and Worth:

Even after the fall, humanity retains the image of God and thus continues to possess worth. The gospel message is one of redemption—God seeks to restore and redeem the creatures he lovingly made, further affirming their value.

In summary, the gospel of Jesus Christ not only proclaims salvation but also upholds the sanctity of human life by revealing:

1) Its divine origin,

2) Its redemption in Christ, and

3) The call of God’s people to love and protect every human life as a reflection of God’s image.

To conclude, we present this challenge and call to action to you:

Let’s not be Christians who merely go to church, sing a few songs, drop our check in the box, go to Sunday school, volunteer in the kitchen, and call it good. That is all good and very important; however, I believe that’s not all we’re supposed to do.

Jesus got dirty when He ministered to people.

He risked his health and his life.
He touched lepers.
He went to the well in the heat of the day to seek and save a woman whom He knew was living in sin.
He protected the woman caught in adultery from the deadly stones of her accusers.
He showed grace and honor to the sinful woman in Luke 7 by allowing her to interrupt His dinner with the Pharisee, touch & kiss His feet, and He complimented how much she loved Him for forgiving her many sins.
On His way to heal the daughter of a religious leader, He graciously accepted being interrupted by a bleeding woman deemed unclean and untouchable.

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Do you believe that Jesus loves little children? Do you think He might wonder why we do so little, or even nothing, to protect them?

Wouldn’t Jesus want us to be good neighbors, expose evil, and try to stop it?

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, we are called to intervene in the culture.

Leviticus 20:1-5 says, "If any member of the community closes their eyes when that man sacrifices one of his children to Molek ... I Myself will set My face against him and his family and will cut them off from their people together."

Isaiah 1:17 says, “Learn to do good, seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, obtain justice for the orphan, plead for the widow's case.”

Ephesians 5:11 says, “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”

Mark 9:42 says, “If you cause one of these little ones who trust in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.”

We may not be successful in turning the culture around, but we should at least try.

How would it sound if I said: “I’m a Christian, but I don’t read the Bible, go to church, or share the gospel”? Does that make sense? Is that truly loving God or loving my neighbor? Of course not.

Let’s not be Christians who merely say, “I’m pro-life, I wouldn’t do it…but…” and then do nothing to help save women and children.

Just as Jesus called us to go into all the world to proclaim the gospel and make disciples, He’s called us to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves and to rescue those being led away to death.

Do you see now how the gospel of Jesus Christ and the sanctity of human life go hand in hand?

Do you see how and where you can become more involved in sharing the gospel of life?

To learn how you can help save lives, email info@abundantlifewomensministries.com.

For Jesus and life. — Mara