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When does life begin? When are we humans? At what stage of development does a fetus become a person? And what does “choice” have to do with it?
Today, the media goes back and forth on the issues of life.
Should we let vacillating politicians or reactive activists form our thoughts? Science has no explanation for why we can think, it can only watch the process on an MRI. How about religious leaders, those who form their thoughts motivated by cultural engagement – should we listen to them?
On the topic of “made in God’s image,” the Bible is clear.
We are made in the image of God.
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness (Genesis 1:26, ESV).
We are not a plant or a horse. We are spirit, soul, and body – having the ability to think and feel with self-awareness. Why? How? We are made in the image of God.
If we are made in the image of God, when does this “image” begin?
Our image began before we were conceived.
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… My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret… 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).
Made in the image of God is not blind chance, with a lot of luck through millions of years, as agnostic evolution teaches. The Bible says that the God of history made us in His image.
We are made for His purposes. God began His “image” in us before time began.
His image in us, formed in conception, developed in the womb, grew through childhood, survived the teen years, matured in adulthood, became an OG (Old Guy), and then transitioned to eternity for the final revealing of our completed image.
Our image was God’s choice, not ours.
He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace (Ephesians 1:4-6).
The idea of “choice” is considered in the discussions of birth and life.
Yes, we have choices – we make good and very bad decisions. Our choices are redeemed by God’s eternal predestination and not by stacking one bad decision upon another bad decision.
We should celebrate being made in the image of God, who chose us before time.
And our choices should glorify the God who made us with the ability to choose.