The Maine Thing About Life

By: American Decency Staff

 

Maine became the eighth state to legalize assisted suicide, joining California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, Vermont, and Washington D.C.

Maine’s Democratic Governor, Janet Mills, recently signed a bill legalizing assisted suicide. As Maine further embraces a propensity for death, Governor Mills’ statement regarding suicide stands in contrast with her words and previous actions.

“It is not up to the government to decide who may die and who may live, when they shall die or how long they shall live.” She continued, “While I do not agree that the right of the individual is so absolute, I do believe it is a right that should be protected in law, along with protections for those who are unable to articulate their informed choices and those who do not have access to quality end of life care.”

Although the governor states that the government hasn’t the right “to decide who may die and who may live,” it’s been less than a month since she signed a bill which expands abortion access in Maine, allowing medical professionals who are not doctors to perform these unconscionable acts of murder.

Referring to the assisted suicide bill, Matt Vallière, executive director of Patients Rights Action Fund, said Maine’s state legislature and governor “failed” its citizens.

“Assisted suicide is a dangerous public policy that puts the most vulnerable people in society at risk for abuse, coercion and mistakes. It also provides profit-driven insurance companies perverse incentives to offer a quick death, rather than costly continuing quality care. Mainers, especially the terminally ill, people with disabilities, and the poor, deserve better.”

As Maine debates on the issues of life and death, we should focus on the main things regarding life.

1) Who is the Giver of all life? God is the giver of life; it is neither the government’s nor man’s place to decide who lives and who dies. As technological advances have been made, various questions about life, death, and issues surrounding them need to be addressed. As our culture continues to move from fact to feeling, there is no end to confusion as boundaries are pushed and compassion is redefined. We will go far in answering these questions rightly if we will remember that human life is sacred because God is the giver of life and each individual bears His image.

2) Each life is a soul which will one day stand before Christ to give an account of their actions while living. First and foremost, what have we done in regards to Jesus’ atoning work on the cross? Placing our trust in Jesus means that there will be a change in our behavior. As Charles Spurgeon said, “The grace that does not change my life, will not save my soul.” God has set a race before each of us. Each race is different; yet each has some commonalities. The successful race will be run according to God’s Word and is dependent upon the Spirit’s strength and leading. Don’t get sidetracked by various issues and the world’s conformity; keep looking unto Jesus.

3) What is the purpose of life?  According to the Westminster Confession of Faith, the purpose of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. When Job was in the midst of his loss and suffering his wife suggested that he curse God and die. This righteous man’s response was this: “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” Job didn’t leave it at that; several chapters later he doubled down. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” We can only glorify God and enjoy Him forever by completely trusting in Him and walking in accordance to His ways.

Of course we must pray for all those in authority; but when they get it wrong, we must still do what is right.Prayerfully study God’s Word to show yourself approved, to rightly divide the Word of truth, and to know the whole counsel of God. Such devotion will serve as an anchor in these trying and turbulent times.

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