Attitudes, to life

The way in which people think or feel about human life is of major importance to morality. Scripture declares the sanctity of life, and the attitudes towards life which should follow.

The sanctity of life

Psalm 49:7–8; Matthew 16:26 parallel Mark 8:37

Fear

1 John 4:18 See also Psalm 23:4, Psalm 91:5, Psalm 112:7–8; Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 41:10; 1 Peter 3:6

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.

Courage

1 Corinthians 16:13 See also Joshua 1:6–7; 1 Samuel 17:32, 1 Samuel 17:37; Acts 4:13

Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

Rejoicing

Psalm 118:24 See also Romans 5:3, Romans 12:15; 1 Peter 4:13

This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Anxiety

Philippians 4:6 See also Psalm 94:19; Proverbs 12:25; Ecclesiastes 11:10; Matthew 6:25–34 parallel Luke 12:22–31; Luke 10:41; 1 Peter 5:7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Being forward-looking and positive

Philippians 3:12–14 See also Luke 9:62; 2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Timothy 2:3–6

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.