Dealing with Abortion.

Over the next few weeks we'll take a look at some of the areas of culture and life that are more hotly debated. Please understand this isn't about condemning anyone or passing judgment on anyone. It's about a brief look at what the Bible says on the topic and how we should deal with it. So let's get started!

Abortion
It's been estimated that since abortion became legal in the United States in 1973 that more than 55 million abortions have been performed. That's a sobering thought when it comes to thinking about all of those people that never had a chance at life. There are plenty of statistics on abortion that can give you an idea of who has an abortion, why they have it, or even how far along they are when they have it. A good resource for those statistics is http://www.abort73.com/abortion_facts/us_abortion_statistics/. 

Pro-Choice or Pro-Life?

But we aren't here to discuss statistics. At the heart of the abortion issue is the determination as to when life begins. For those that are Pro-Choice life does not begin until a child is delivered. For those that are Pro-Life the moment of conception marks the beginning of life. I do not understand the view that life starts at birth because when my wife was pregnant with our two sons I could feel a small life moving inside of her womb. When a child is delivered by c-section we see a life, not a fetus, that has been taken from the womb. But these arguments have been debated and argued over and rehashed for much longer than the last 42 years. So what does the Bible say about when life begins? Unfortunately like most issues in life we don't have a verse that says "According to God, life begins at..." But a good text to consider on the issue is Psalm 139:13-14. It says "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well" (NIV). God is intimately involved in the development of each human life. He "knits" us so to speak. That means He takes great care and precision to make us just like we need to be. He does this while we are in the womb. With all life being sacred to God the lives of unborn children are to be cared for and protected not discarded as if they were a mistake.

The Christian Response.

When it comes to abortion a follower of Christ should do two things. First off if we know someone who is considering abortion as an option then we should do what we can to encourage them to choose life. That doesn't mean beat them over the head with the Bible until they give up. It means lovingly showing them that God loves them and the unborn child. It means showing them that God has a purpose for both lives and encourage them to pursue adoption. Second, if we know someone who has had an abortion we need to show them love rather than judgment. Although some claim they have no remorse or feelings about a previous abortion, many psychologists suggest otherwise. Generally there is some level of guilt, shame, and other difficult emotions that go along with having an abortion. The last thing a woman needs after an abortion is judgment, condemnation, and guilt dumped on her by others. Our job as followers of Christ is to encourage them to seek God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9) and help them down the path towards restoration. In the end only God can bring about forgiveness and restoration.

There is help.

If you know someone who is considering an abortion encourage them to seek out a local Pregnancy Care Center. They can give great counsel as to what options are available and give some much needed help. If you know of someone who has had an abortion and needs someone to talk to about it, then encourage them to seek out help. Pastors, Christian Counselors, or even someone at a Pregnancy Care Center will be able to sit down with them and help them work through their feelings and emotions.

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