What is the value of a human life? Yet again, the news was shocking: a mass shooting in Maine where at least 18 people were killed with many others wounded. The wars in Ukraine, Israel and other worldwide regional conflicts claim even more lives.

Scientists tell us the human body consists of six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, with a net worth of $576. Is that it? Is that the value of a human life?

The Psalmist gives us a much more truthful value of human life. “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 formed for me, when as yet there was none of them (Psalm 139: 13-16).

The words of the most well-known Bible verse also give a more truthful value to every human life, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). That should tell us something of the value of every life in God’s eyes. We were formed by Him, loved by Him, and He made provision for the redemption of everyone who comes to Him.

We don't have to look around the world to see the devaluing of human life. I was saddened to see our Canadian government extend euthanasia based on mental illness with the recent defeat of Bill C-314. As Canadians, we should be shocked that a human life's value is now considered even less valuable if you struggle with mental health issues. Calling it medical assistance in dying is nothing more than a euphemistic sugar-coating for state-sponsored murder. Add to that the nearly 80,000+ abortions performed in Canada each year. It isn't hard to see the diminishing value of human life in Canada.

What can we do practically to address this issue? The AGC is an affiliate of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. See their link on what you can do: https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Topics/Euthanasia-Assisted-Suicide/Take-Action-on-MAID

Life matters. All life matters because each is created in the image of God, according to His eternal purposes, as Psalm 139 tells us. We see the value in each human life in that Jesus died on the cross to redeem each life because of His great love for all of us. We are called to be a light in the darkness. As we proclaim the good news of the Gospel, let us remember that the good news extends to everyone; Jesus died for all so that all who come to Him may live.

We live in a world that is increasingly diminishing the value of human life. Let us pray to discern how we can demonstrate something different: the value of life as Jesus sees it – all lives matter!

I pray that many would see their value to God and come to Him!

Rev. Bill Allan
AGC President