In 1973, abortion was legalized in the United States of America. As an open-minded 20-year-old at that time, I didn’t think it was so awful. Especially since women were seriously injuring themselves by the do-it-yourself methods of terminating a pregnancy. Regrettably, in my younger days, my focus was on the choice to have or not have a child. After all, free will was given by God. I could also relate to the mainstream ideology that abortions empower women, enabling them to pursue careers and make a better life for themselves before motherhood.
What I have learned over the years since Roe v Wade is that while God has absolutely given us freedom to choose a course of action in any given situation, this freedom is never a reason to do wrong, or to harm to another human being. “Without revelation, people run wild.” (Proverbs 29:18) We need a standard of truth to live by. And God has given us the truth in His word. (John 17:17)
A common phrase runs through the book of Judges: “The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.” What was this evil? They abandoned God, who had delivered them, time after time, and performed miracles on their behalf right before their eyes. The Israelites suffered because of the things they did, so will our blessed-by-God nation suffer if Americans continue to part ways with our Deliverer, believing we know better than Him. And so will we individually suffer the consequences of any choice that violates the words of our Creator. Those rejecting His truths are given over to a strong delusion. (2 Thessalonians 2:10,11) We see evidence of this, today, in evil being called good and good being called evil. (Isaiah chapter 5:20) The killing of innocent lives through abortion, without medical reason, is evil. Yet, abortion is approved. Alarming how this medical procedure has morphed into the gruesome and inhumane practice that it has since first legalized. Something is terribly wrong when a society accepts dismemberment of a preborn human being or crushing his head to remove his brain, which is the case in partial-birth abortion. I realize there are those on the side of ‘choice’ who are not in agreement to legalizing these barbaric surgical procedures. The fact that our government had to actually establish a law to ban them is nonetheless tragic. It’s a sobering thought to consider a potential bald eagle being touted more valuable than a potential human being.
In the 18th chapter of the book of Leviticus, God specifies to Moses that His people are not to engage in the evil practices of the pagans they encounter along the way to the Promised Land. These practices included the killing of children as a sacrifice to the pagan god, Moloch. Satan’s mission has always been to steal, kill, and destroy life. Intermingling with the ways of modern society will be a snare to the followers of Jesus. (Psalm 106:34-39) We will serve either righteousness or unrighteousness. (Romans 6:16) Everyone who does wrong will be repaid. (Colossians 3:25)
Despite a law prohibiting late-term abortion, there are doctors who are performing them, and there are many in the abortion industry who are selling the organs of destroyed human babies. These, whose god is money, display a total disregard for human life. The infant inside a womb, who has been lethally injected in an abortion, is heartlessly compared to a piece of meat that will ‘soften’ as in a crockpot before being expelled from the mother’s body. Thankfully, Pro-life groups are working tirelessly and vigorously to educate women and men on the truth of what happens in the termination of human life. Enlightenment, regarding the physical pain of the preborn during and after abortion, is making a huge impact on a pregnant couple’s decision. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) Except a person know Truth, he will take the path of evil, which leads to destruction. God has come so that people may have life. (John 10:10)
Life is undoubtedly from God. “For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) “The breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4) The preborn are human beings in God’s eyes. And there can be no doubt to the value God has placed upon human life. We are made in His image- remarkably and wonderfully created. (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:14) My uncle, who is a medical doctor, states with confidence that every baby born is a miracle. Any couple who is unable to conceive, would agree.
Yet, pro-choice arguments continue. A few years back, a columnist from a local paper presented a rationale for abortion. She posed it as a way to prevent crime. Such blatant ignorance to the ways of God. Or was this columnist displaying rebellion against Him? God commands us not to kill. (Exodus 20:13) Sadly, abortion has become a means of convenience. It is used as birth control and also used to dispose of babies who – in the world’s eyes – are unfit to live a so-called normal life. Recently, I was talking to a friend who shared her experience with abortion. She expressed her fear and intimidation brought on by her doctor because a test revealed that her unborn child had Down’s syndrome. The negative scenarios of ‘what it would be like to raise such a child’ and ‘what would happen to such a child if my friend were to pass away’ were enough to convince this friend to abort her baby. We can’t blame doctors for our choices. I can tell you, 40 years later, my friend was visibly pained over her decision. Not an inkling of empowerment could be heard in her voice while sharing her experience either. There are plenty of heartwarming stories of love surrounding children with Downs. They possess an abundance of joy that anyone would want.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for your future and to give you hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) What if we simply put our doubtful and fearful situations in the capable hands of God, leaving the outcomes to Him. He promises to work everything out for good to those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) An article on Facebook described a couple who had chosen to keep a child, though the child would not survive the type of dwarfism she had because her lungs were so compromised that they could not sustain breathing for any length of time. The little girl was born and was lovingly cared for by her parents until she passed away. I was so impressed that I shared this post on my Facebook page. A day later, a good friend from high school sent me a text about this post, describing it as a balm to her soul in that her daughter-in-law had gone through the same scenario not long ago. She said this story would greatly comfort her son and his wife. “God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to be holy. To live separated from the standards of the world (1 Peter 1:15) and to hate evil (Ps 97:10). When we make the wrong decision, Jesus offers forgiveness. (I John1:9) Having taken on the sins of the world and fulfilling the demands of God’s laws perfectly and completely, we have hope. I pray Americans reassess the road they are on with regard to the abortion issue as well as other issues that oppose what God says. It is never too late to change course; the fork in the road is always in sight while we are, yet, in the age of God’s grace.
