The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Elizabeth D. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research - Sanctity of Life
In Bible times, if someone took an innocent life, one paid with his own life, or even worse, he had to deal with God’s direct punishment. (Leviticus 20:2,4,5)
When the Ammonites, in Amos 1:13-15, killed a pregnant woman and her baby, God burned their city and exiled their king. Some would disagree that the Ammonites took two lives, because they believe that a baby's life starts when it is born. The Bible tells us that the personalities of Jacob and Esau began to develop in the womb. (Genesis 25:21-28) Also the spirit comes into a person in the womb (Ecclesiastes 11:5), so therefore life begins in the womb. Human life is precious to God (Exodus 20:13), even while in the womb.
We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28), and he has crowned us with glory (Psalm 8:4 &5). If some uncaring person questioned why life is valuable, one must tell him that we are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16 &17). God knows the number of hairs on each of our heads (Luke 12:6 & 7), and most importantly, God loved us so much that he gave His Son for all of humanity (John 3:16), and not just those who made it out of the womb!
God made plans for us, and called us each by name before we were in the womb (Jeremiah 1:4 &5), as well as before we were born (Isaiah 49:1 &5). Before we were made God knit each of us separately (Psalm 139:13-15), much like a potter and his clay (Isaiah 45:9-12).
If one were to ask if God cares about children, I would reply that children are God’s reward (Psalm 127:3-5), the kingdom of God belongs to them (Matthew 19: 13-15), and we are his children, co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17). If a child was an 'accident', the parents should be punished for their sin, not their baby (Deuteronomy 24:16). God faithfully uses difficult circumstances for his glory (Genesis 50:20).
Recently, a pregnant woman went to a clinic for an abortion, and while waiting for the doctor to come into the room, she delivered a live, healthy baby. The employees, following their usual procedure, threw the baby into the trash, where it eventually died. The baby’s mother was now enraged. This, sadly, is the mind set of most women seeking an abortion. They believe that life begins at birth, which is not true. They convince themselves that the baby is a problem to rid themselves of, instead of a human being that needs to be loved and cared for. We must tell them that their body belongs to God (Ezekiel 18:4), and that if they make mistakes God can and will use them for good (Romans 8:28).
