Lately, there has been a lot of shouting (and rightly so). It seems people are trying to sum up their struggle and perhaps voice their answer in a slogan: “Black lives matter!” “Blue lives matter!” Though, at the heart, maybe they are really all trying to say, “My life matters.”

The sad thing is that, in the sin and hatred of our day, people feel so unvalued, they have to shout to others, “I matter!”

Yes! You do! In fact, that is the message of Jesus.

The Truth — Your Life Matters

Here’s why it matters:

“Your life matters” is the truth of Scripture. Our basis for understanding all things is God’s Word. God is our Creator and Designer, and, therefore, our source of truth. No matter the turbulent circumstances of the culture, God’s Word will stand.

In His Word, God says that all people were created in His image. Because of this, all people have great worth. Because of this, all life is to be cherished and upheld with the utmost respect. Don’t miss that — all people, all life. The fact that certain groups are undervalued or tragically oppressed denies God’s perfect intent, and is sinful.

And, while we are at it, the Bible says God created only one race — the human race. So, be sure that any division based on skin color and any resulting injustice is of Satan. God, in His infinite wisdom and plan made it plain — your life matters.

“Your life matters” is the reality of the Cross. I believe this is the most beautiful part. God loves people, and He loves all people. He is no respecter of status or reputation. He is not swayed by lineage or position. Wealth and poverty mean nothing to Him. The grandest king and the unclean leper are both held in equal regard. “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16).

And, no place is this more evident than at the cross of Jesus. You see, at the cross, all people are equal. They are equal in guilt, in sin, in the weight of their rebellion. At the cross, every human distinction — every single one — is thrown out. At the cross, there are people, unified in the fact that they need a Savior. And, only at the cross, do we find that Savior, willing to die for those people. All people. Jesus paid it all, and Jesus paid it for all! If you were to stand at the foot of that cross, if you could see the drops of blood as they ran down the tree, it would shout, “Here, your life matters!”

Proclaiming “your life matters” is the only way forward. This is important. Any divisions, any factions are not of God. He is the God who unifies. He is the truth that unites. And, He is the means of reconciliation. If we are ever going to find true reconciliation, it will only be found in unifying, not dividing. If your way forward includes drawing any distinction, it will not result in the fruit of peace, but only more division. Instead of moving apart, people must come together. And, the point at which there is unity is the message of God.

There is a tragic history that has pushed people to shout, “Our lives matter.” We know it was the sinful actions of people that pushed us to where we are now. The church has failed. Our nation has failed. It is terrible, inexcusable, and certainly sin. So, what now?

What we say does matter!

I’m sure you’ve noticed that the cries of one group aren’t generally met with compassion and understanding, but with a shout back. When some say, “Our lives matter!” the reply is usually a louder, “But, our lives matter!” Instead of agreement or peace, we end up with more division. That’s because what we say does matter. What we say must be the message of God — “Your life matters.”

That reality brings us full circle. The world’s way is not working. It’s clearly not. However, there is hope. In God’s Truth, we have the answer. It is Biblical, and it is what the cross teaches. The answer is to stop drawing distinctions or divisions that God hasn’t made and to start embracing the unity He planned and desires. The answer is to shout from the highest mountains, to every ear that would hear, “Your life matters!” It matters to Jesus, and so it matters to me.

Your life matters!

If you are hurting today, thinking of the ways you have been told the opposite, I am sorry. I am sorry for hatred and oppression, sorry things are unfair and mean. I am sorry for sin — repentant for mine, grieving the sin of others. I am heartbroken over what sin has brought to our world and what it did to our Savior. The good news is that in our sorrow, together we can stand at the foot of the cross, on level ground, and all know the grace of Jesus. Together, we can look to that cross and know: To Him, our lives mattered. May that realization lead us to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone.