The big news so far this week has once again centered on another indictment of former FBI head James Comey. This time, over Director Comey’s Instagram post of seashells arranged in certain numbers. No words or directions towards the president were mentioned in the caption.
So far, most legal experts have doubts about the flimsy case and its standing in the court system. Regardless of its validity, Pres. Trump is hell-bent on seeking political revenge. As normal, the president is obsessed with earthly power and whatever he can do:
- Revenge
- Unforgiving
- Deception
- Violence
While many of the president’s supporters were condemning and worried about the director’s “threat” of violence against the president’s life, the president himself posted another AI image of himself, this time holding a machine gun and threatening Iran that he was done being a “nice guy.”
The president, like many conservatives, believes they can have it both ways when the Bible makes it clear we cannot (1 Kings 8:61, Matthew 6:24), we cannot value some life and then threaten other lives.
I do not understand how so many conservatives who claim to be pro-life can be violent at the same time; they are the double-minded people the Bible warns us about (James 1:7-8). As a conservative Christian, I understand the sanctity of all life because every human is created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).
We do not get to devalue a life because it is outside of the womb, our political party, or nationality. It is God who gives all life, and only He is allowed to take it (Deuteronomy 32:39, 1 Samuel 2:6, Romans 14:8).
What Is Life
Most of us think of life as something we are enjoying now, but it is much more than just life here on earth, especially for God’s people. Life is defined as “The quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body.”
Christians understand that life is both physical and spiritual. It does not end with the passing from this world. That’s why we know believers have more than one life to live. All life, regardless of nationality or political affiliation, comes from God (Genesis 2:7, John 3:16).
Most of us have lived more than one life here on earth, one lost and dead in our sins and the other reborn new and alive in Christ. I understand how people who feel lost believe they are meant to enjoy life here on earth, because I have lived by my flesh as well.
God’s people have more than one life to live because we have been given new life through Christ. That is why the Bible has a lot to say about life (Proverbs 21:21, John 14:6, Romans 5:10).
This earthly life is a test to prepare us for where we spend eternity (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, 12). When we came to God, we abandoned our old ways and lives (Romans 12:2, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9- 10, 1 Peter 1:14-15).
It is God who gives us both physical and spiritual life (Romans 6:23; 8:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:4-6, 1 John 5:11-13). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about how God gives and takes all life.
Ḥāyâ
The Torah tells us that in the beginning God spoke all life into existence (Genesis 1:1-31). Even after the fall, God still loved and provided for the lives he created (Genesis 3:21; 9:8-17).
God is the Creator of life. The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for life is ḥāyâ, and it can also mean “Alive, live, save, quicken, revive, or recover,” depending upon the context it is used in.
Although death and sin had corrupted God’s creation, He chose to purify and cleanse His creation to bring new life (Genesis 6:5-8:19). God loves all life, even when people willingly disobey Him (Nehemiah 9:17, Isaiah 53:6, Hosea 11:8-9).
That is why God gave His people His commands to help protect life and keep them to the following the simple ways of this dying world (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:1-21):
- I am the Lord thy God.
- Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
- Do not take God’s name in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath.
- Honor thy parents.
- Thou shalt not murder.
- Do not commit adultery.
- Thou shalt not steal.
- Do not bear false witness.
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus emphasized the importance of being reborn and having new life from God (John 3:3-7; 6:47). He valued all life, even the ones that God’s people had rejected and frowned upon (Mark 2:13-17, Luke 7:36-50, John 4:7-27).
Our Lord rebuked the Pharisees for not valuing all life and looking down on others (Matthew 9:10-13; 23:23-28, Luke 11:42, John 8:1-11). He taught His followers not to focus on things of this temporary life, but to prepare for eternal life in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:33-34).
He warned His followers how quickly this life will end and when He returns and all of His eternal glory (Matthew 24:36-44). This world is quickly fading away just as Jesus prophesied.
Severe Weather
In other big news this week, much of America has faced more extreme severe weather, from floods to wildfires and tornadoes. People have lost their lives as quickly as Jesus warned many would.
One would think with all of the death and instruction in the world today, that people would see life is too short to waste chasing temporary things that will not satisfy or last after this temporary world in life (Ecclesiastes 1:14, Matthew 6:19-21, James 4:14).
Satan has always deceived mankind with temporary things that bring momentary happiness in life (Genesis 3:4-5, Matthew 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 11:14):
- Riches
- Power
- Earthly greatness
- Temporary life
God’s people should focus on eternal things instead of temporary happiness and earthly greatness like the rest of the world does (Romans 12:2). We should also respect all life because God is the Giver of it.
God creates each of us differently and for a different purpose (Psalm 139:13-14, Jeremiah 1:5, Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6). As this world continues to fade, we must remember death will come to us all one day (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, Hebrews 9:27). That is why God’s people must focus on our eternal ḥāyâ!
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In