Have you ever stopped to think about what would happen if we really lived out the Great Commandment? What if we loved God with everything we’ve got and loved others the way Jesus calls us to?
I think it could change our lives, our communities, and maybe even the world. Jesus says in Matthew 22:37-39 that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind—and to love our neighbor as ourselves. And when that love really takes hold, it spills over into everything else, including our mission to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).
This Sunday, as we reflect on Sanctity of Life Sunday, we’re reminded that one of the ways we show this love is by protecting the dignity and value of every human life—both born and unborn. But how does this tie into the bigger picture of making disciples? Let’s break that down.
Loving God and Loving Others
When we look at how God loves, we see a heart that treasures both the mother and the child. Scripture is clear that life starts in the womb. Psalm 139:13-16 talks about how God forms us in our mother’s womb and knows every detail of our lives even before we’re born. This deep care for the unborn shows how much He values every life. But His compassion doesn’t stop there—it’s also for the mother, giving her strength and hope in her most vulnerable moments.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus cared for those who were overlooked, showing grace to the marginalized and the broken. In Matthew 25:40, He says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This includes the unborn, who can’t speak up for themselves, and the mothers who might be scared or uncertain. Proverbs 31:8-9 calls us to speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves—this is a reminder to advocate for the unborn, but also to support mothers with the help and community they need.
When we love God with our whole being, it reshapes how we see the world. His heart becomes our heart, and His values become ours. That’s why loving others isn’t just an add-on; it’s evidence of a life transformed by His love. Loving our neighbors means seeing their inherent value, not because of what they can do but because of Who made them.
Think about it—every person you meet carries the imprint of the Creator, and that changes how we treat them. Genesis 1:27 reminds us that every person is made in God’s image. This includes the unborn, the elderly, the marginalized, and the forgotten. When we affirm the sanctity of life, we are bearing witness to the Creator whose image every person reflects.
Living Out the Great Commission
The Great Commission tells us to go and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that Jesus has commanded. But what does that look like in a pro-life context? It means living out the Gospel by showing love, grace, and truth to those around us.
It means coming alongside scared young women and offering them hope and practical support. It means advocating for policies that protect life and volunteering at crisis pregnancy centers.
It means engaging with those who hold different views, not with condemnation but with compassion and conviction, always pointing them to the life-giving truth of Jesus. When we uphold the sanctity of life, we are proclaiming the good news of a God who creates, redeems, and sustains life. This is discipleship in action—modeling what it looks like to value what God values.
Here’s the thing: If we’re not loving our neighbors by affirming the value of their lives, how can we hope to disciple them? If our actions don’t reflect the love of Christ, why would they listen to the message of Christ?
If our actions don’t reflect the love of Christ, why would they listen to the message of Christ?
Being pro-life isn’t just about saving lives—it’s about reflecting God’s love for His creation. It’s about showing the world a better way, one where every person is valued, where healing and forgiveness are possible, and where the Gospel shines light in the darkest places.
This isn’t about following a formula or ticking off a list. It’s about letting God’s love move us to action in real ways. For you, it might look like praying for a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, showing up to support a family in need, or just being there for someone who feels invisible. Here are a few ways we can live this out:
- Pray: Ask God to break your heart for what breaks His and give you chances to show His love to others.
- Serve: Get involved with local ministries that help women and families in crisis—be the hands and feet of Jesus.
- Advocate: Use your voice to stand for the unborn and for policies that protect life at every stage.
- Disciple: Build relationships with those who need hope. Show them with your words and actions that their life—and the life of their child—matters deeply to God.
Living out the Great Commandment helps us fulfill the Great Commission.
Living out the Great Commandment helps us fulfill the Great Commission. When we love God and love others, we can’t help but share the hope of the Gospel. And as we honor the sanctity of life, we’re reminded that our mission is rooted in the very nature of God—the Author of Life.
This Sanctity of Life Sunday, let’s recommit to loving deeply, serving boldly, and speaking the truth with courage. As we do this, we live out the Great Commandment and bring others into the full life found in Christ—life that starts at conception and lasts for eternity.
Lucas Leibforth 
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