Life has value.  This is true of every life no matter ethnicity, gender, age, or income.  We are plagued by news reports of people that hold a low view in regards to the value of life, and this comes about when we remove the teaching that mankind was made by God and in his image.  Life has value because God is its source.  Remove this truth from our mind, and we see no value in ourselves; remove this truth from society, and we see no value in each other.

Your life has value, and this value is only realized from a biblical perspective.  Genesis 1 tells us that God made mankind in his likeness.  This wasn’t just in a collective sense but as individuals.  We see this individual value expressed in Psalm 139:13-14, “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. . .”  This truth of creation holds for all mankind.  Every life has value.

We get to see this again in re-creation, or salvation.  Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:18 that as believers, we are God’s glorious inheritance.  Did you catch that?  Believers are an inheritance in which God delights and sees the value.  This is why Jesus taught in Luke 15:10, “I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Many have taught the angels rejoice, but that is not the case.  The angels observe God rejoicing.  Why?  God rejoices because life has value.  Life has value to God in creation, and he sent Jesus Christ to bring spiritual life to mankind who is dead in sin.

So what does this mean?  Your life has value, and that value is only found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Many have tried to find their value in other things: being a parent, a profession, in the opposite sex, or in others.  We could produce a lengthy list, but none of these things will allow you to see your real value because they did not make you.  They cannot redeem you, and they do not hold your purpose.  It also means that others have value.  They are created by God, and though they struggle with sin or are different from you, they are just as valuable.

Apply this truth to your life, and you will find your purpose and fulfillment.  Apply this truth to society, and you will be a conduit of grace and mercy to a lost and dying world with the message of Jesus Christ.