Is organ donating wrong?
Introduction. It is always good that we are concerned about what the Bible teaches on various subjects. In fact, the Bible is the only reliable moral standard we have. The word of God and exercising our spiritual senses can make us able to "discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5: 12-14).
Our bodies are to be offered "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God..." (Rom. 12: 1). It is possible to "sin against ones own body" (1 Cor. 6: 18). Those, therefore, who abuse themselves and destroy their health will have to give an account of their stewardship (1 Cor. 6: 18, 19). "For ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body," Paul enjoined (vs. 20).
Jesus' teaching on ultimate sacrifice. "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you," Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15: 12-14). Jesus demonstrated his love for man when he gave himself on the cross (Phili. 2: 5-10). You may wonder what relevance this has to our question. The pertinence involves giving part of ones body so another can physically live. Paul figuratively mentioned the affection the Galatians had once had for him when he wrote: "...Ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me" (Gal. 4: 15).
Some object to organ donation on the grounds of their desire to be physically complete at the resurrection. It must be understood that there will be more involved in the resurrection than simply the raising up of our bodies (1 Cor. 15). Most will have already "returned unto the dust" (Eccl. 12: 7). We need to take care of the habitat of our immortal spirit, but to donate an organ to perhaps save the life of another is not necessarily bodily abuse, I am convinced. Such a donation could be very noble and beneficial to another.
Our bodies are to be offered "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God..." (Rom. 12: 1). It is possible to "sin against ones own body" (1 Cor. 6: 18). Those, therefore, who abuse themselves and destroy their health will have to give an account of their stewardship (1 Cor. 6: 18, 19). "For ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body," Paul enjoined (vs. 20).
Jesus' teaching on ultimate sacrifice. "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you," Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15: 12-14). Jesus demonstrated his love for man when he gave himself on the cross (Phili. 2: 5-10). You may wonder what relevance this has to our question. The pertinence involves giving part of ones body so another can physically live. Paul figuratively mentioned the affection the Galatians had once had for him when he wrote: "...Ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me" (Gal. 4: 15).
Some object to organ donation on the grounds of their desire to be physically complete at the resurrection. It must be understood that there will be more involved in the resurrection than simply the raising up of our bodies (1 Cor. 15). Most will have already "returned unto the dust" (Eccl. 12: 7). We need to take care of the habitat of our immortal spirit, but to donate an organ to perhaps save the life of another is not necessarily bodily abuse, I am convinced. Such a donation could be very noble and beneficial to another.