IS ORGAN DONATION AN ACT OF LOVE | Part 2
As Christians, we must understand that we cannot dishonor God in the name of love. Such an idea is entirely illogical and contradictory, for God Himself is LOVE (1 John 4:16). Christians are often preoccupied with the mandate to “love,” yet we must distinguish between love as defined by God’s Truth and love as perceived by the world, lest we be led astray by the devil. This applies to the issue of organ donation as well.
Some might argue that donating organs is no different from donating blood; however, this is incorrect, as the two are not at all the same. The human body can regenerate the blood needed to sustain life, but it cannot regenerate internal organs once they have been removed. If it could, this article—and the very issue of organ donation—would not exist. The reason the human body cannot regenerate organs is that God intends for humans to use our bodies as a way to show respect toward our Creator and our parents (Exodus 20:12). Because God is the Creator of humanity, the human body serves as a temple of God on earth (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16).
As for parents, how many people truly reflect on the immense effort parents invested—over so many long years of care, protection, and nurturing—to ensure their children could grow up with healthy, intact bodies? Some governments, too, play a role in safeguarding children, both physically and mentally. Yet, in today’s world, many children—some not even in their teens—have been so influenced and poisoned by malicious, cunning individuals in society and within schools that they return home to declare that their bodies are their own private property. They claim the right to do whatever they please with their bodies, insisting that their parents have no authority to intervene or offer guidance. They act as if they sprang from the earth, rather than being born to their parents. Apart from God, has anyone ever just appeared in this world out of nowhere? Without the protection, upbringing, and care their parents provide, would they even have the bodies they have today?
Due to the toxic influence of the devil and his agents, many people have completely forgotten how their parents held, comforted, nurtured, and raised them throughout the long years—from the moment they were born until they reached physical maturity. This reveals the profound malice and cunning of those who serve as instruments of Satan—working to undermine the foundation of the family, corrupt parents, and poison humanity—especially children—instilling in them an attitude of unfilial defiance: defiance toward God and defiance toward their own parents.
The human body lacks the capacity for organ regeneration because God intends for humans to protect their bodies—as an expression of filial piety and respect toward their parents, and, above all, toward God, the Creator of mankind (1 Corinthians 6:20). For this reason, God has forbidden His children from marking, tattooing, or cutting their skin in any form (Leviticus 19:28)—let alone removing internal organs to donate to others. The Word of God in the Bible warns those who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, destroy God’s temple on earth—that is, the human body (1 Corinthians 3:17).
The Bible says that Jesus Christ alone is permitted—out of love—to destroy the temple of God (John 2:19–22). No one else is authorized to do so (Hebrews 10:10). Therefore, in this context, the only acceptable course of action would be to donate an organ exclusively to a family member.
Some might argue that, in their view, love is defined by donating an organ to save someone who is ill and would otherwise die. However, the Bible teaches that such an act DOES NOT constitute true love; it merely reflects a worldly perspective. The Word of God teaches that true love must be ACCOMPANIED by righteousness. This is God’s principle: He is both the God of love and the God of righteousness.
Consider this: if a person donates an organ to someone else, what becomes of the love they owe to their own family? A donor can no longer be considered a healthy, fully capable individual; who, then, must bear the consequences of such a decision? It is the donor’s own family who will have to provide care, attention, and concern—enduring the emotional strain whenever the donor experiences complications or health issues. And if, following the donation, the donor becomes chronically ill or frail and eventually passes away, who bears the burden of that outcome? Is it not his own family?
So, while such a person may appear to express love toward others, what about the love he owes his own family members (1Timothy 5: 8)? Is the compensation received from organ donation sufficient to cover the subsequent medical expenses? Is it enough to offset the loss their loved ones endure? Or does it merely cover the cost of a funeral, leaving the family to bear the crushing weight of grief and separation? An act of organ donation that brings such sorrow, complications, crises, and estrangement cannot be considered an expression of TRUE love.
Some might argue that the donation was made with the family’s consent—but even then, it is STILL NOT true love. We will provide further explanation in the next section.
(to be continued)