Psalm 139 tells us that God knows us intimately as our creator and sustainer. He is sovereign and always present. This is comforting (vs. 17-18), but at the same time this knowledge brings us into accountability (vs. 23-24). Being alive is a physical experience, but it also needs to be a spiritual and moral experience (John 3:3-8; 10:9-10; 17:1-3; I John 5:20). So, life is not just some organic accident: the result of chemical responses through “time and chance.” Life is the product of an intelligent, powerful, loving creator. Chuck Swindoll once said, “Life is God’s gift to us. What we do with it is our gift to Him.” This makes life sacred: a transaction between our creator and us. It is of great importance how we treat our own lives (spirit, soul and body – Matthew 22:35-38; I Thessalonians 5:23; I Peter 1:15-16) and how we treat the lives of others (Matthew 22:37-40; 25:31-46; Romans 13:8-10).

Sacred Creation - All of creation is sacred because of God who made it.

God designed His creation to glorify Him (Genesis 1:31; Psalm 19:1-6; 145:10; Romans 1:18-20). We should not be careless and destructive with God’s world (Revelation 11:18).

Sacred Human Life – It is especially sacred because we are made in God’s image.

See God’s direct involvement with our creation (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7-9, 15-24; Psalm 8). The teaching of evolution detracts from the sacredness of human life! Issues such as abortion, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are promoted by a secular society.
• God says, “Do not kill / Do not commit murder” (Exodus 20:13).
• God treats unborn children as people and protects their rights as individuals (Psalm 139:13-16; Genesis 25:21-23; Isaiah 49:5a; Jeremiah 1:5; Judges 13:4-5 cp. 16:17; Luke 1:13-15, 39-44; Exodus 21:22-25).

Sacred Responsibility – We will answer to God for our stewardship with the things of life.

We have a responsibility in life to be like God and to defend and preserve the lives of the helpless and needy (I Peter 1:15-16 cp. Psalm 68:5-6; Jeremiah 9:23-24). See also Psalm 82; Isaiah 1:16-18; Proverbs 31:8-9; James 1:27; Matthew 25:31-46.

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