What is the value of human life? or In Whos Hands Are You?

What is the value of human life?
People place a high value on human life. In fact most of us when asked we would say there is not much that is worth more. We would say that a murderer or some terrorist does not “value” human life and that is our way of showing how great a wrong it is. But what is the true value of a human life? In the world today there are, at last estimate, close to 7 billion humans on the earth. We often see things that are rare as having great value but human life is not rare at all, but instead there is an over abundance. But something in us (at least most of us) tells us that human life is precious. People that believe in evolution believe we are just an evolved life form, or just an animal, and that would make a human of no greater value than a cow, pig, dog, lizard, bug, or even a plant. They may argue that the thing in us that tells us that human life is precious is just a survival mechanism that has evolved in us and that animals without this have ceased to exist due to natural selection. Well that is another debate and one that I would choose to take the side of we have more value than just to “survive” as a species.
So back to the question “What is the value of life?” Some would say all people are created equal, and therefore they all have the same value. I would say we actually are all created unequal, because we are not all the same, and each of our lives will have a different value bases on how we use it. We may all have equally potential value, but it has no value as potential, it has to be put to use. In many cases this life we value so much is not used in a way that maximizes its value. So let me put it to you this way.

I have a basketball in my hands, and I am going to ask you “what is the value of this basketball?” If it is an NBA game ball it is around $90.00. If it is a Spalding T1000 it lists for about $55.00. And in my hands, even though I’m a decent basketball player, that’s all it is worth, about the cost of the ball at the local store. But if you put that same ball in Kobe Bryant’s hands or in the hands of Dirk Norwitzki it has a different value all together.

That is the same with my life. If left in my hands it has value for sure, but is it the most value that my life can be worth? You see I feel that we were each made for a purpose, and each of us has a different purpose and that’s why we are all different. And when we are used for that unique purpose we maximize our value. But when we are used for the wrong purpose our value is diminished greatly. It is like a tool that is used for the wrong job. A hammer or a saw both have great value as tools but a hammer has little value when used as a saw. Our lives are much the same as this. It is also who is in control of the tool that is important. A carpenter knows which tool to use for what purpose, but another might not know and put the tools to use for the wrong jobs and thus diminish their value. So how do place my life in the hands of someone that knows my purpose to maximize the value of my life?

Bertrand Russell a self proclaimed atheist once said “unless you assume there is a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” So I guess all you atheists can just stop reading right here. But really I don’t think that, I think atheist or God believing we all can sense that life is valuable and that there is a deeper meaning than just selfish self fulfillment. It is just hard for an Atheist to come up with the answer to the question, but the question is not meaningless. We can discover what something was made for or be used for (its purpose) by asking the one that made it. Take for example a car part. If you know nothing about cars, and you saw a piston or a valve or cam shaft it would be hard for you to determine their purpose. But if you talked to the designer of the car he could tell you how each one has value and purpose and are important when they are working together , but of little value when not used for their purpose. We are a lot like that, we have all been made for a special reason that fits into a bigger thing and when we are all operating in our purpose it will run smoothly but that has never been realized because so many of us are parts that are in rebellion to the plan and purpose of the designer.

So what did God your creator design and make you for? Colossians 1:16 says, For by Him (God) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. So for starters you were made FOR Him, not for you. The bible says God thinks about you in this way, (Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. So God created with peace not evil in mind and has a hopeful future for you if you follow his plan and purpose for your life.

So what was Gods original plan for humans? In the Garden when man was created he had fellowship with God, so one of the main reason God created us is for relationship for God's own PLEASURE (for Him).

Psa 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

Phl 2:13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

Rev 4:11 You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.

Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord GOD: therefore turn [yourselves], and live.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

He created us to share His creation (His kingdom) with us and It brings him pleasure to do so.  But He does not force us to be with Him.  We have to want it and choose to.   

Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. So this is part of God's purpose is for us to do the good works that he places in front of us. Realization of this is the beginning of maximizing the value of your life on earth. But in the end God values our eternal life. He is concerned with if we are going to choose to spend our eternal lives with Him of without Him. Spending your life with him in the end is how to maximize your life, and we get this short physical life to make that choice.

My life in My hands has some value, but my life in GODS HANDS is priceless. The price is God's only Son. For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son. So that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life. God must see great value in each of us to give up so much to save us from ourselves.  Just so we can spend forever with Him.