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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

 

Dear Rev. Graham: I’ve been an advocate for the unborn. There is swelling support and powerful voices for the cause with the hope of turning people away from taking innocent lives, often causing them regret and despair. A friend of mine told me that the phrase “choose life” is from the Bible. Is that really true? – C.L.

 

Dear C.L.: “Choose life” is a popular phrase in our nation and is associated with the right-to-life campaign. The slogan was lifted from God’s Word and is found in the book of Deuteronomy – from the days when Moses governed the people of Israel.

The Bible places the highest value on human life. It is sacred and of inestimable worth to God who created mankind “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27, NKJV). His creation plan was designed with eternal life in view.

The Bible also clearly teaches that when we turn our backs on God and choose to disregard His moral laws there are inevitable consequences; and it is not God who is to blame for the consequences, but the person who has broken His law. Faced with the moral option of living selfishly or unselfishly, people can and do make wrong decisions. We are free to choose, but we reap the consequences of bad moral decisions.

From the beginning of time until the present moment, people use the gift of free choice for their own selfish ends, and it’s brought them to the brink of doom. There’s not a day that we do not have a chance to choose between the devil’s clever promises and God’s sure Word. God leaves us free to pursue our own ends that often come with tragic consequences.

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19, NKJV).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)