In the guise of ‘compassion’ and/or ‘justice,’ Americans continue to degrade the value of human life. 14 states now have MAID (Medical Aid In Dying) laws. Have you heard of them? In short, these laws permit, with some limits, physicians to prescribe pills that will prematurely end the life of people who are terminally ill. The state of New York outlines the law’s intent this way – “when a terminally ill, mentally competent adult patient, who is likely to die within six months, takes prescribed medicines, which must be self-administered, to end suffering and achieve a peaceful death.”
If you are like about two-thirds of American adults you read that and thought – “So what’s wrong with that? It’s a good idea.” In purely practical terms, I could agree. I have watched both my parents and my wife struggle through months of sickness and suffering and eventually die from cancer that ravaged their bodies. Some part of me wondered about allowing them to choose an earlier exit from it all.
BUT, they and I share a high view of human life and the sovereignty of our Creator God, Who alone holds the keys to life and death!
Theologian Brad East wrote - “The church’s moral teaching has always held that murder—defined as the intentional taking of innocent life—is intrinsically evil. It follows that actively intending the death of an elderly or sick human being and then deliberately bringing about that death through some positive action, such as the administration of drugs, is always and everywhere morally wrong.” (https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/12/why-christians-oppose-euthanasia)
A great tragedy has come over the evangelical Christian church in which most pastors are silent on the issue of the sacredness of human life. The line has steadily eroded over the last 40 years from a firm insistence that all life must be protected and cherished to a more utilitarian view that couples the value to life to some supposed ‘quality of life.’ Tolerance for abortion has crept into our minds. Widespread acceptance of capital punishment, despite the revelations of so many mistaken convictions, is now common among us. I heard not a peep of protest about the proposed travesty of a firing squad execution that our government proposes to stream live from our pulpits!
One advocate for life and speaker on Christian ethics, Heidi Janz, who has multiple disabilities and speaks with a voice synthesizer, says “The silence has been deafening, We’re just collectively shrugging our shoulders. I think we’re going to have a lot to answer for.”
We seem to have forgotten a key truth of our faith – that God will redeem our suffering for His purposes. Our very salvation came at the cost of suffering by Jesus at the Cross. Few seem to be willing to accept that God can use and does use pain. I am not trying to sugarcoat the awful pain and loss of dignity that came with the long process of death that my parents and wife endured when I say that in each of those experiences a new and amazing depth of love and grace were uncovered. There were long nights when I sat with my Dad’s head lying in my lap as we listened to songs that reminded us of God’s grace. My Mom and I shared faith and hope in the darkest moments and my faith grew. Bev and I fell more intensely in love even as her strength ebbed away and I became less her husband more her caregiver. Yes, it was hard for me and even harder for them – BUT truly God’s love was present in a way we never knew before the ‘awful.’ I cannot imagine what would have been lost in their lives or mine IF they had chosen to end life prematurely.
Christians are called to the highest love, a love that goes beyond bliss, romance, or mutual affection. Our love is modeled on that of Jesus ‘who came to serve, not to be served.’ Consider the consistent theme of the New Testament.
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other." (John 13:34, NLT)
"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." (Romans 12:10, NLT)
"Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, NLT)
That kind of love provides purpose and value to each person for we are, together, the Body of Christ. "Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (Ephesians 4:16, NLT)
Another common argument offered in support of MAID, is framed as ‘death with dignity.’ To be sure, dying is an ugly business! Frequently there is a decline in self-care, a growing reliance on others for even the basic physical needs. Yesterday I went to visit a man in hospice care, a man who once gave voice to faith, who shared my hope in Christ Jesus. When I entered his room, I saw a man now totally dependent on care, who did not even recognize me, and who talked in confused jumbles of words. It was my privilege to offer my hand, to extend care to him, to pray with him knowing that even in this greatly diminished state he remains a child of God!
We must regain our understanding that we belong to God – from birth to death. That we do not own our bodies, not can we claim radical autonomy. The inspired Word says clearly – “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19) That statement is not qualified in terms of good health, convenience, or practical value! God owns me and I surrender what others claim to be my ‘right’ to self-determination to His will.
Is that a hard truth? It is! But, it is a foundation of life’s sacredness.
Let’s live well, investing ourselves in the highest and best for the glory of God, even as we remember what the Word tells us about our mortality: “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) IF we reject the modern fascination with youth and accept the fact of dying, we will live better lives. And the fear of death will be tempered by the hope found in Christ Jesus who promises that “There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:2)
Amen
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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55
