Choose Life
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and a curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live…” Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV
Have you ever set out to do something that you knew you were supposed to do and had to do, but then everything seemed to be against you as you tried to accomplish the said task?
That has been me for the last 2 months after I believe God laid it on my heart to write this blog on the issue of abortion. Spiritual warfare? Maybe. All I know is that in the last couple of months, I have been so distracted and had so many things come up out of nowhere that I had to deal with that were flat out overwhelming. Some of this is including but not limited to, currently dealing with a stress fracture in my foot (for which I am now wearing a very sexy boot), and a torn rotator cuff in my shoulder and pain in my elbow on the opposite arm and I have no idea why all of a sudden I feel like I am falling apart. Bad posture? Lifting things too heavy? Just having my 44th birthday? Who knows. I was basically told to keep my elbows to my side until I start physical therapy to avoid pain and further injury. My 11 year old son says I look like Tyrannosaurus Rex. Funny, not funny. So, here we are. This is my 3rd attempt at writing this as I have scrapped the first two and now I am really hoping 3rd times a charm. It is important to me that you see this comes from a genuine heart of care and concern.
First, I would like to make a disclaimer that I am NOT an expert. I would like to think that I am resourceful and good at finding credible information, but many of you will read this and see flaws or cracks in what I am about to share and that’s ok. I am planting a seed to be watered. I encourage everyone to do their own research. Especially since we all tend to have our own biases on issues like these. Secondly, my audience is mainly to Christians who are unaware of the depths of this issue and how it affects us all, who have been lied to by our culture and the world’s agenda and who have not been informed on what real science or the bible has to say about such matters. Also, to the Christian who wants to have more sound apologetics on this issue, I hope you will be encouraged and feel more equipped to handle controversy with some of the things I discuss further in. If you are staunchly pro-choice, you are welcome to read, but I ask that you do so with an open mind and if you are a Christian, maybe God has deeper things He wants you to consider here. I will use biblical support, but this issue is not merely one with religious roots. It is a human rights issue and one that does impact all of us in one way or another. Ultimately, you are free to choose what you will believe about this matter, and that is the beauty of the free will that I believe God gave us. However, as Peter Parker’s uncle Ben says, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Even though we have certain liberties, we have to ask ourselves, what is the wise thing to do/say/believe? What does it mean for the type of society I am a part of and contribute to? And, even further for the Christian, “What would God have me believe is true and ethical here?” Honestly, everyone regardless of religious beliefs should be asking what is morally ethical when it comes to abortion. And then we could ask, where do ethics come from? But, we’ll save that for another day.
Before we dive into this any further, I would like to preface that this is a little bit longer of a read for a blog. Who knows, maybe it will be turned into a mini book sometime. We’ll see. Please set aside 30-45 min with a good cup of coffee. I very much appreciate that you would take the time to consider what I have to say on this. I pray that God would honor your time here.
After Roe vs. Wade was overturned in June of this year and the comments on social media started flying, it got me thinking and praying more fervently on this issue. Do people really know enough about abortion to make an informed opinion? I really felt God was leading me to write a blog about this; to bring awareness and insight in a way that could be well received by many. Yes, I am pro-life. Though not the kind that stands on a corner with a poster board that says if you are pro-choice, you are a baby murderer. However, I have stood outside of abortion clinics to pray while holding signs that read “God loves you and your baby.” I am very passionate about being pro-life and I do believe I serve a pro-life God, but I also serve a God of love and mercy. If you have had an abortion, please know that God is just to forgive and gives us freedom from any condemnation. I do not judge you. As Christians we are required to speak the truth in love and be compassionate toward others. Let me unpack some of my conviction for you with some food for thought and I promise to do so with respect, love and gentleness to the best of my ability.
Remain Compassionate without Compromise
We need to understand that there are a myriad of complicated situations that some pregnant women find themselves in. There are extreme cases such as teen pregnancies, incest, rape, abuse, severe medical complications and life or death situations, etc… I cannot begin to understand what it would be like to be in one of those situations or the things that those women would have to consider. We need to be sensitive to the varying degree of difficulty it would mean for those women to continue with that pregnancy. However, I believe in a big God that can work all things out for the good. (Jeremiah 29:11). Even if you don’t believe in God, one thing that is proven true, is that the difficulties that we human beings go through, usually make us stronger on the other side of it. Most of the time we imagine the worst but rarely does it actually play out that way.
When I was 21, I found myself in an unplanned pregnancy. I was living with a boyfriend I had only been with for a few months. I was in shock. Not because I didn’t know the birds and the bees and what could happen, but I just didn’t think it would happen to me, until it did. I had envisioned going to college, finding Mr. Right, getting married, enjoying the married life for a little while and then, maybe adoption? I wasn’t even sure then if I wanted my own children. But, I lived on the edge and took the risks in my teens and twenties. I remember the morning that I found out I was pregnant. It was 5am; I woke up to use the bathroom and decided to take a pregnancy test that I had boughten because I had missed my period. I was always regular so I suspected something might be off. I was half rubbing sleep out of my eyes when I glanced down at the test and before the 5 minute timer was even up, the lines were shouting positive! I was so distraught, I immediately grabbed my keys and jumped in my car and took the fast lane to nowhere just to clear my head. How was I going to tell my family and friends? They would be so disappointed I thought. How can I make it as a single mom when I only have a part time job at a credit union? My thoughts were racing with all of the what if’s. I knew that I was in for a long and bumpy road ahead. I was scared of all of the unknowns and of course I imagined the worst, but I had been raised knowing that all babies were a blessing from God and I had to trust Him for forgiveness of my sin and that He would care for me and this new little life growing inside of me.
On August 18th, 2000 I gave birth to a healthy 7lb 8oz baby boy and named him Joshua (which means, God is my salvation.) I never knew I could love someone so much! It was the best feeling in the world. I was forever changed. Things were a bit rocky with the co-parenting and adjusting to life with a newborn, but I had support from family and friends and it was more doable than I ever imagined. When my son was 6 months old, I did meet Mr. Right. He fell head over heals for both me and my son. (Much respect for the men who step up to assume fatherhood of babies not their own). We married and went on to have 4 more children! (We also have one in heaven from a miscarriage that we will someday meet.) Our youngest is now 11 and I am amazed at each one of my children. Giving birth, raising them and watching them become their own people, is flat out miraculous and amazing to me. That I should get the chance to grow a living, breathing human being inside of my body and then have the joy of watching them become amazing people, still astounds me. They truly are a blessing from God. That is exactly what Scripture says in Psalm 127:3: “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”
I believe in remaining compassionate, but with out compromise. I believe that there is a larger amount of grace extended from God in special circumstances. The bible says, “He is near to the broken hearted.”(Psalm 34:18). I would imagine that any of these dire situations I mentioned in the previous paragraphs would qualify for a special grace to handle these difficult circumstances. These women need the support of their families, their community and the local church in whatever capacity to help them through this entire journey. I really sincerely believe that, “When a woman feels the love and support of her community, the so called “solutions” that abortion brings will no longer appeal to a vulnerable woman.”(FOF)
Being Pro-life is not just being Pro-birth
I hear a lot of opposing voices saying that people who are pro-life only care about saving the fetus but not helping the mothers or the babies after they are born. I don’t believe that to be true. Sure, can we always do better? Yes! And we should. But, one does not negate the other. I think it’s manipulative to use that type of language for their defense in favor of abortion and it’s amazing how quickly it’s just become touted as fact amongst anyone and everyone looking to spread the pro-choice movement. This lie is being used to persuade many into joining the pro-choice train. C.S Lewis referred to this fallacy of reason as bulverism. It is a cleaver ploy to evade the issues raised by trains of reasoning. It’s a way to refute the argument without addressing its claim. It is a guilt ridden accusatory statement aimed at playing on ones emotions to provoke a sense of guilt for supposedly not doing enough, thereby shifting the responsibility and gaining acceptance by circular reasoning. We are all called to “love our neighbor,” and that looks different for everyone considering each of our individual abilities. God’s people should be willing and ready to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world to help those in need. However, no single person, no church, no organization and definitely not government, were meant to continually support and enable someone to take advantage of them indefinitely. The Bible says, “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) “If you don’t support your own, you’re worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8). There has to be balance. We have to work to empower people to get back on their own two feet and put their trust in God, not in endless hand outs with strings attached from the government. Supporting an expansive, socialistic vision for government is in no way a prerequisite for being pro-life. We have to gather the facts and see the information for ourselves if we are going to be able to stand strong against the pressures of current culture. There are strong and verifiable arguments that deserve attention and I will be addressing many of them in this blog. We are clouded with negative news every day. It’s often just sensationalism and meant to capture peoples attention to promote further division, confusion and agendas. It seems that one actually has to go in search of good news these days if you want to find it, but it’s there! Don't give up hope. God is with us always and gives us wisdom when we ask of Him.
What help is there for women in difficult pregnancies?
There are tons of non-profit organizations dedicated to helping women in crisis situations. In the United States alone, there are over 2700 pregnancy centers that offer valuable free services. Women who are confused about what to do when they find themselves unexpectedly pregnant or in difficult pregnancies and aren’t sure where to turn can seek out these dedicated pregnancy resource centers for services which often include:
Pregnancy Testing
Ultrasounds
STI testing
Nurse Consults
Medical Referrals
Counseling and support
Parenting Classes for mothers and fathers
Prenatal vitamins, baby supplies, etc…
Referrals for financial assistance, insurance, prenatal care, adoption, and more
“When a woman feels the love and support of her community, the so called “solutions” that abortion brings will no longer appeal to a vulnerable woman.”
“By providing practical assistance and links to needed resources, pregnancy centers improve health outcomes for women and promote health and well-being for themselves, their children, and their families.”[1] In addition to these organizations, there are also a plethora of churches and other organizations that also offer council, resources and often have shelves of donated supplies for pregnant or new moms in need, to get clothes, diapers, formula, food and other items for their babies. And the list goes on.
When my cousin, who is just a few years older than me, found herself pregnant at 16 years old and was considering abortion, she went to a local pregnancy center. After meeting with someone who gave her information, counsel, support and resources, she changed her mind and decided to have the baby. None of our family could imagine a life with out my cousin’s daughter or now her grandson! It’s because of places like that who are pro-women, that many lives have been saved and many women are forever grateful.
Many people are trying and helping in whatever way they can. Our family has decided that for right now, one of the ways that we can contribute, is to give financially to support our local pregnancy center and their outreach. They help women with unexpected pregnancies from the beginning and beyond. Every year we attend a Walk for Life to raise funds as well. We also give to our local church that in turn supports the community where we live. We can all do our part to be a part of healthy solutions that promote life and flourishing. One of the leading founders of Feminists for Life has even said, “Abortion is a reflection that society has failed to meet the needs of women.” Abortion is damaging, not just to the unborn but to women and humanity at large. We have to stop promoting this as a great solve all, and ignoring the damage it leaves in its wake. Women are not well informed of all the risks that are associated with having an abortion. Many women in desperate situations who have opted for abortions then later suffer with a number of things such as but not limited to: an overwhelming sense of guilt, nightmares, new or worsening mental health issues, excessive drinking or drug abuse, an inability to form or maintain healthy relationships, have a difficulty bonding with other children, not to mention physical complications and often infertility due to scaring or other complications. Unfortunately many women who have had abortions regret their decision and often say they felt coerced into it thinking they had no other options. Our society needs to do better. We need to place a higher value on life. We need to place a higher value on women. Abortion is not the answer when a woman is loved, valued, respected, empowered and encouraged in her community.
When does life begin?
Many people have decidedly become ok with abortion because they are convinced that life doesn’t start until a baby is actually born. Or maybe they’ve justified it with time of viability (the earliest that a baby could be born and survive) or maybe when the sex of the baby can be determined is when it seems most real to them, or even when the heartbeat is first detectible. When do you think life begins? Let’s dive right into some of the science, because this will help us overcome these differences of opinions. Our emotions often cloud our judgement on this point and we really should let the science speak for itself. The science is actually pretty clear. There is no longer a mystery on when life begins. It begins at conception. Conception is synonymous with fertilization and is defined as: “(1) An act or process of fecundation, insemination, or pollination or (2) The process of the union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated.” [2] In laymen’s terms: when one lucky sperm out of many from the male counterpart penetrates the egg (ovum) of a female counterpart and join together to form a new life. If anyone is in doubt, they have not done their research. The science of embryology confirms it. Unfortunately, many times a vulnerable woman goes in to an abortion clinic to discuss options, and they are told that it’s not truly a life yet; that it’s just a blob of tissue or just a clump of cells. This is not true! Abortion providers will play off of people’s ignorance and desperate situations. It’s down right cruel in my opinion. Why do they feel the need to sell someone on an abortion anyway? It’s baffling.
I think it’s important for everyone to be well informed. I have done extensive research on this. Fetal development is something I became very interested in during my childbearing years having been pregnant 6 times and I think it’s super interesting and flat out miraculous. It’s been very helpful in discussing where babies come from with my children as well and it’s very important in forming an educated opinion on the topics we are discussing. Here are just a few of the scientific facts on fetal development for you to read and I have included links to their sources as well:
Fetal Development Stages
The sperm fertilizes the egg typically within 24 hours of intercourse: at that time eye color, hair color, biological gender, genetic make up, and more are all determined.
Approximately 5 days after fertilization the fertilized egg implants into the uterus and separates to form the embryo (baby) and placenta (what nourishes the baby).
By 14 days post fertilization (4 weeks pregnant) the embryo has a primitive face with dark circles for the start of eyes, and the mouth, lower jaw and throat are developing as well as blood cells forming to begin circulation.
By day 22 the baby’s heart is beating and is completely separate from the mom’s blood supply and circulation. It can be seen beating on a ultrasound as early as 5 weeks pregnant!
By day 28 (6 weeks gestation) the eyes, ears and respiratory systems begin to form and function.
These new little ones start moving about the womb as early as 6-8 weeks.
By the end of week 8 all of the organ systems have developed and will continue to mature
Although gender is determined at conception, a NIPT blood test can reveal if it is a boy or girl at 10 weeks gestation. (56 days post fertilization.)
By 12 weeks (towards the end of the first trimester) the baby in the womb can feel pain.
For some considering abortion, the science would be convincing enough, for others, the “why” still hangs in the balance. Maybe they aren’t religious or maybe they have somehow convinced themselves that it’s the right thing for themselves or even for their would be child. They think, the risk is too great. I’m not ready. I don’t want children. I had other plans. This was forced on me and this wasn’t my choice. My baby would be better off never born so they don’t have to experience x, y, and z. I’m too young, I’m too old, I have too many children already. I don’t want to be a burden on anyone. I wouldn’t be a good mom. Every one of these valid concerns is rooted in a fear of the future. Whether we have a spiritual conviction or not, most would agree that fear is negative and we shouldn’t let fear control our lives. And as the science has proven that life starts at conception, not only would we be making a fear based decision for ourselves, but for someone else’s life as well: the unborn child. Of course none of us would ever let someone else’s fear control our own life, so then why should it play out that way for a vulnerable baby in the womb? They should be allowed to live, grow, and make their own decisions just like the rest of us do.
The Bible says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34) It also says in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God does not want us to live in fear. He wants us to live in faith and in hopeful expectation, believing that He will order our steps and guide us on a path of blessing.
One time I found myself in a psychologist’s office. I was dealing with a bout of postpartum blues after my 3rd child. I slumped down in my seat and started spilling out a slew of “what if’s” regarding the future of my trying to parent 3 kids and keep my sanity and she said, which was so profound for me at the time, “Most of what we fear never comes to pass, so why be afraid?” Fear does nothing but rob you of today’s joy. That was so profound for me in that moment. No it didn’t automatically take away the hormonal chemical challenges that were going on in my body, but when you can think rightly about a situation, it empowers you to live above it and deal with things in a healthy and productive way.
Life begins at conception, but when is life valuable?
We’ve established that life begins at conception. That’s not a religious claim, that is a scientific claim according to every embryology text book. Abortion at any stage of development kills a human life. That’s science. Still, many will still side with a pro-choice philosophy; a debate no longer based on science, but rather based on when life is valuable. Every pro-life person argues that every human being regardless of gender, size, race, ability, economic status, education, etc…is valuable because they are apart of the human race. The fertilized cells of human beings are distinctly human and individually unique. You don’t earn your right to life based on certain characteristics. Those who are ok with abortion are ok with separating humans in two categories: worthy of life and not worthy of life. We’ve been down that road. Hitler murdered millions of Jewish people in the early 1940’s with this kind of mentality, deciding that those with a Jewish heritage were less than human. Abortion is a human rights issue. Some may say, well fine then a fetus is a human and therefore can have the same rights as any other human including the right to sustain its own life and so therefore they only die from abortion because they can’t do that outside of the womb, which belongs to the woman. If we applied that same mentality to a newborn do we think they would survive either? Babies, toddlers, children, and even most teenagers in my opinion would cease to exist if it wasn’t for their parents or caretakers. I remember one time when I was a very young, my new baby sister was asleep in her bassinet. I decided I would play dress up with her and change her clothes without my moms knowing. I undressed her completely and got distracted leaving her naked and alone. My mother went in to see why she was making such a fuss and found her a disturbing shade of blue because she was obviously really cold. She was without proper clothing and unable to regulate her own temperature as a newborn. Human babies are the only babies in the whole world that are completely and utterly helpless without the love and care of another human for food, clothing, hygiene, protection and even touch. It has been proven that human babies will likely die without human touch. “In the early 19th century in the United States, infants who had been institutionalized died of "marasmus” (wasting away). Institutions surveyed in 1915, reported that a majority of infants under the age of 2 had died due to failure to thrive, related to the lack of touch and affection.” (Chapin 1915; cited in Montagu 1986, p. 97).
Science has also seen another interesting correlation in nature. Evolutionists believe that with any living being “the longer the baby’s weaning time, the smarter the adults become.”[3] So with that being said, I am just realizing that with raising 5 kids, I would technically be a genius by now! No, but seriously, the more helpless a newborn is the smarter the adults caring for them become. That makes sense and this is crucial for the survival of a species. How then does abortion fit in if we are willing to end our own? Elizabeth Cornwell- executive director for the Richard Hawkins Foundation has even said, “We can’t kill off our own species…abortion is wrong.” The unborn are one of us! Just because people have trouble connecting their intuition to a ball of cells doesn’t make it any less so. All that to say, is that this is more than an argument from a spiritual standpoint. Personally mine is grounded in my faith in the God of the universe and all of creation, but I believe everyone can all see the credibility of this convincing argument regardless of faith. Let’s however consider what God has to say on the matter. Science is good when it is rightly divided. The imperial process will never conflict with God’s creation, it will only affirm it, but we need to see what the truth of God’s word and His heart says. These scriptures I believe speak to this issue well and I pray that you will let them stir in your hearts.
Scriptures in support of being pro-life…
“So God created mankind in His own image (likeness), in the image of God He created him, male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) All human life is valuable to God.
“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth…” (Genesis 1:28)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” (Jeremiah 1:5)
Psalm 139:13-16 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”
“The thief (satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (God) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that ANY should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Why should we be allowed to halt another human life’s chance to know the savior?“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make hast to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)
“But He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace…” (Galatians 1:15)
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Psalms 127:3)
Luke 1:41 reads, “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
(All scriptures taken from the English Standard Version)
That last one especially gets me. Elizabeth became pregnant first, with a son who would later be known as John the baptist. Elizabeth was Mary’s older cousin. The scriptures say this in Luke 1:26, that the angel Gabriel came to Mary with a message from God. She was a virgin at the time and promised to a man named Joseph. The angel told her that she had found favor with God and that she would conceive in her womb (by way of the Holy Spirit) and give birth to a son that she shall call Jesus. Jesus was and is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of all of us! The verse in Luke 1:41 tells us that when Mary, in her first trimester of pregnancy, came near to Elizabeth who was about in her 6th month of pregnancy, the baby in her womb leaped for joy and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. Was Jesus not the son of God within her at any point during Mary’s pregnancy? No! Mary was already the mother of Elizabeth’s Lord it says, as confirmed by Scripture. Fetus Jesus was actual Jesus. He wasn’t any less the 2nd person of the trinity in-utero.
Scripture also tells us of the situation that Mary was in when she became pregnant. She was young, technically a virgin, and promised to marry Joseph and was now found pregnant outside of marriage and assumed to have had sex with some mystery man or Joseph before it was appropriate. What a predicament she was in! She was surely shamed by her family and society. In those days promiscuity was punishable by law. If anyone had cause for distress from a pregnancy it was Mary, but she trusted God. Elizabeth said, “Blessed is she who believed there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Mary trusted God. Even when everything and everyone in the natural was against her, she was filled with expectation that God would see her through. And she had to keep trusting God through everything along the way, even when King Herod was out to kill her new born son for fear of the prophecy of the Messiah. I had this thought while reading this story in light of todays culture, that “It’s a good thing that Mary, the mother of our Lord, didn’t consider abortion as an option to a difficult pregnancy.” Yikes! I know that’s harsh and many would say preposterous, but it’s a shocking thing to consider, and I think worth acknowledging in light of our current day. Maybe none of us women are ever going to carry the son of God in our womb, but what about a medical scientist who could create a cure for cancer or some other incurable disease? What about a genius inventor, or a world renowned artist? How about a missionary who brings water and food and the gospel to thousands that are without? What about someone who would take care of their mother in her old age to help her in her time of need? You never know what great potential is growing in a mother’s womb? We all came from someone right?
If you are Christian and you support abortion or are on the fence, consider this, when do Christian principles get the praise of the world? If we are getting the world’s praise, then maybe we’ve got something wrong? Maybe we’ve aligned ourselves with a secular culture instead of a Biblical one? Maybe we’ve been deceived? It’s not too late to turn around. Look, the science speaks for itself. I think that I have laid out enough scripture for it to speak for itself too. It’s important that we pray and ask God to give us wisdom and discernment. The Bible says, we also “Fight not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” We see in the natural, but there is a supernatural that also resides among us. There is a war going on in the spiritual realm. Satan and his cohorts labor extensively to influence humanity and destroy the works of God. We have to be wise, alert and know our enemy so that we can resist him by putting on the armor of God. He knows his time is short and that Jesus will return to destroy him so he is trying very hard and will not go down without a fight. We have to stand strong. “We must submit ourselves before God and resist the devil, and he will flee from us.” (James 4:7) We have to let the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth. God’s truth, not our own person truths, not even the so-called truths that “sound” good and noble but that secretly lead to destruction. The Bible says also that we we need to be in faith and not doubt, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea being driven and tossed by the wind. That’s what it’s like to follow the world and not trust in God. And the Bible says that those people who have divided loyalty will not receive from God. “A double minded person is unstable in all their ways.” (James 1:6-8). God’s word will convict us, but in a good way. I’ve always been told conviction is from God, and condemnation is from the enemy of our souls (Satan). God will never beat you up for your mistakes; we can honestly do that enough to ourselves, but God wants to empower us with His word to become more and more like Jesus. To be a light and a hope in this troubled world. That is His endgame.
So should abortion be illegal?
Abortion is anti-human, anti-life, anti-women and it causes suffering in many ways. Establishing legal limits to abortions will mean fewer abortions, and this is to the good of women, children, families and society. But does this mean that we should call for the prosecution, punishment, and imprisonment of women who might seek abortions in defiance of legal prohibitions? Absolutely not. It’s worth adding that, historically, laws prohibiting abortion in the United States have generally called for prosecution of the abortionist rather than the woman. That is because the woman has traditionally been viewed as a second victim (along with her child) of the abortion. Does this mean women who seek out an abortion shouldn’t be held accountable in some way, no, but there are many things to take into consideration and it needs to be handled with care in a case by case basis. Having laws in place to govern the overall morals of a nation are a good thing.
The laws of a country make statements about the corporate moral standards to which we as a people subscribe. They identify the behaviors we applaud and those we consider reprehensible. “The law is, among other things, a teacher. What the government allows, or prohibits, impacts public behavior and morals. This aspect of the law’s power and significance should not be underestimated.”[4] As a Christian, our moral compass ultimately comes from our faith in God, but on some level is also influenced by the laws and standards of the land. Those without the Bible as their basis for morality, by default are even more reliant on the laws and surrounding community standards for their code of ethics. This is one reason why I believe it is important for people to vote and not just for the sake of it, but as Christians we need to vote with the wisdom of God as we decide what best lines up with the Scripture. We cannot pretend that we live in a bubble and ignore what’s going on around us as the rest of the world goes down the drain. We have to share this big blue planet with a lot of different people; with a lot of different backgrounds and influences (spiritual as well). What kind of world do you want to live in? What kind of world do you want your children and grandchildren to grow up in? We cannot be passive about the things going on in our culture right now. If God says that as a whole we need to turn from our wicked ways and He will bless our land (2 Chron. 7:14), then we had better not sit back and watch the world grapple at trying to dictate what is moral and just. The secular world does not care about God’s principles, it is like a ship lost at sea with no compass or anchor. We live in a current culture that says truth is relative, morals are subjective and we should do whatever feels good to us. This kind of mentality is gravely alarming and has disastrous consequences. Without going off onto a rabbit trail, I will just say, we need to push back in whatever way the Holy Spirit instructs us to. Voting is just one way we can do that to have an impact in our government. However, we can influence and shape our culture in other ways as well, starting with our own families. We must talk with our children at age appropriate intervals about God’s design for sex, men and women, marriage, family, etc… Included in those conversations we need to talk to them about abortion. Why? Because if they don’t hear it from their parents first, they will surely hear it from the world around them. It’s not a silent issue, so why should Christians be silent on the issue?
Facts on abortion you may have not heard
One common misconception is that abortion is as safe as taking over the counter pain meds. I would like to call their bluff on that. For instance, during Covid, abortion medications (plan-c pills) were made available by mail for convenience. Anyone can purchase them off the internet now with little to no questions. If a woman has an RH negative blood type though and wants to take this medication, she technically needs to combine it with another medication to counteract some negative affects it could have on future pregnancies. When ordering by mail, most people don’t know they have this blood type and wouldn’t know to obtain the other medication needed to avoid future complications until it was too late. The abortion medication can render these women unable to have future children because their bodies will now produce antibodies towards future pregnancies causing miscarriage or causing great illness and difficulty or death in the infant. That is not just detrimental to the woman, but to humanity as a whole. Also, as mentioned, anyone can purchase these FDA approved or other sourced abortion pills off of the internet often without any questions at all. That is having dire consequences. For instance, men and women who are trafficking young girls and women as sex slaves are able to get rid of any pregnancies that would potentially inhibit their operations. Medication abortion now accounts for more than half of all abortions in the US. Abortion should not either be viewed as birth control.
Abortions come with significant health risks. It can cause uncontrolled hemorrhaging for one, both with the medication and surgical options. There are risks of infection and future infertility. Some people might obtain and try a medical abortion at home when they are too far along in their pregnancy and this is even more dangerous and possibly deadly for the woman as well. Abortion in any form is unnatural and there are many horrible side effects and physical and mental health risks. Of course they hide a lot of this information until it’s too late.
Our local abortion clinic was recently called into question when a woman who had had a botched abortion procedure began hemorrhaging uncontrollably. One of the clinic staff phoned 911 for an emergency and summoned an ambulance to take her to a nearby hospital. It was suspected that she had a perferated uterus from the abortion. It was clear that no one at this “clinic” was capable of saving her life in this situation. This is not the only time this has happened. Not only that, but the lady on the phone calling 911 laughed when asked if the woman was in severe pain and said “um, probably, she just had a procedure.” (aka abortion). (Video for reference.) Disgusting in my opinion. Nothing was ever reported on what happened to that woman. I hope she survived.
For 35 years Guttmacher Institute has published an analysis on two major studies asking why women chose abortion and answers have remained basically the same.
8-14% say it was for a health reason or possible health problem with the baby
Only 1% say it was a result of a rape
92% of abortions in America are purely elective. Done on healthy women to end healthy growing babies.
Top 3 reasons in America: 1) Socioeconomic concerns 2) A desire to postpone or space children further apart and 3) Wants no more children (59% of women who obtained abortions already had a child or children.)
These stats are alarming to me. In general it shows that many either do not know the scientific facts or do not value the lives of the unborn as much as they do convenience. Or maybe we’ve just bought into the lie that it’s “my body, my choice.” We don’t have the right to take life, only God does. Please pray about that.
What can we do to bring change in our culture and see the steady decline of abortions?
Simply put we can love our neighbor as Jesus has instructed us to do.
For some, that may mean getting more engaged in your community. Volunteer to help the homeless, the poor, or at a women shelter or orphanage.
Give to local charities that offer free services such as ultrasounds, referrals, counseling and assistance to women in need and to the local church so they can advocate for women and children and be a source of hope.
Maybe God’s calling you to be a foster parent or to adopt a child?
We can get involved in our local schools and stand up against false and/or inappropriate information being taught to our children. Parents need to exercise their rights and stand up for their kids.
Start a fundraiser, or get involved at your church to bring awareness and raise funds for causes that help save lives
Volunteer at a local pregnancy center
Live amongst the people and be available to meet needs, don’t be so busy in your own life that you aren’t available to God to be used to plant and water seeds. We are called to be salt and light and to spread the gospel.
Train up the next generations with the truth of God’s word and His principles:
Parents need to communicate what the bible says on sexuality and God’s design for marriage and family. Protect your children from corrupt morals. I can’t stress this enough. It starts in the home. Parents need to model a life where their kids want to hear what they have to say. Parents may need to build more credibility in their relationships with their kids. And churches need to support parents in this endeavor with solid youth groups that address current day issues and point them in the way of God’s truths for making good choices and having a solid foundation in Christ and the uncompromised word of God.
All of us need to educate ourselves on the issues. Don’t stay in the dark. Don’t be persuaded by emotional arguments, or what’s popular, or what your favorite celebrity says, or other biases. At the end of the day, we are all accountable to an audience of ONE. The one. God Himself. What does God say to your heart about this issue? Pray about it.
One final word
I know I have said a lot here. You’ve probably gone through at least 2 cups of coffee by now. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I promise, I’m almost done. I have about 100 hours into this blog already and I believe God will use it for His glory. It was my goal to bring you some verifiable information about life beginning at conception and to reveal scriptures that show us the heart of God on a persons value and to give you some other facts and persuasions in hopes that you would see that every life is valuable from the very beginning. From the moment of conception we have personhood, we all have the same human nature and value, whether we are born or unborn awaiting our first breath into the world, or someone who is close to taking their last. Where you are doesn’t determine what or who you are. And how much you are dependent on another person doesn’t make you any less valuable either.
This is an issue that is important to me because I believe it’s important to God. I believe in equality and justice for all, including the unborn. I am certain that I have communicated everything that He laid on my heart to share with any and all who would read this. Is it biased? It sure is. Is it exhaustive on the issue? No it is not, but again, I am watering a seed. I trust God will speak to everyone who reads this, giving them a fresh perspective, perhaps a new revelation or just affirmation that they can settle in their heart where He wants them to be on this issue.
I pray that if you are a woman who is at the crossroads facing an unplanned pregnancy, that you would seek shelter and hope in God. Even though this seems like an impossible situation, God is in control. He promises to never leave or forsake us and He will bring us help in our time of need. Please reach out to someone at a local pregnancy center, or biblical counseling center and don’t give up and please don’t give in to a decision to relieve the pressure of your situation. You may truly regret it for the rest of your life. God has a plan for you and your baby. He says that your baby is a blessing. He says that He will turn all things around for the good of those who love Him and trust in Him. (Jeremiah 29:11) You are not alone, there are others who have been in your exact same shoes. There is help for you, so just hang on and I believe God will lead you to where you need to be.
Thank you for your time and may God bless you abundantly.
Grace and Peace,
Amy
Ps. If all of this God stuff is new to you and you don’t understand half of the scriptural references or Christian language I was talking about, that’s ok. But, I don’t believe in coincidences. You landed on this page for a reason. God loves you and wants to reveal Himself to you. He created you, and you have purpose in His eternal plan. Jesus IS the son of God, He was born of a virgin named Mary, long ago. He lived and He spread the good news of God’s love in the 33 years of his life and then He became a sacrifice for you and I and He died on a cross, so that you could be forgiven of all of your sins and be reconciled to God, your heavenly father. You don’t have to clean up your life in order to come to Him. God wants you to come just as you are. Acknowledge your mistakes and your need for a savior. Jesus died so that you could have life everlasting, all you have to do is BELIEVE. Read John 3:16 and pray and ask God for His forgiveness. Ask Him to come into your heart and then tell someone that you made Jesus your Lord and savior! Get connected with a good bible believing church and walk in the freedom that God has for you.
