As the 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade passes, we are reminded again of the powerful choice women received to carry or end a pregnancy. Rest assured this is not another article arguing for or against the ability to receive an abortion. Abortion will always exist in one form or another.
Countless hours have been spent arguing when life begins in the womb. Does it start at conception? Does life begin when the child is able to survive outside the womb? Neither argument holds in the big picture.
Remember, the terms “pro-life” and “pro-choice” are man-made. Do not be pressured into labeling yourself with either expression. Instead, refer to Scripture and take on the position that Christ lays out for us.
- “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's 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.” Psalm 139:13-16.
According to the National Abortion Federation, violent acts against abortion clinics peaked in the mid-1990s. The Federation documents that the number of anti-abortion protestors has drastically declined since 1989. However, protestors still remain a powerful voice.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention dictates that, while abortion rates have declined since the 1990s, the amount of abortions per 1,000 women each year has held steady from 2000 to 2009. Are the protestors achieving their main goal of prohibiting abortion?
The typical abortion protest presents us with a group of people holding ground near a clinic that performs abortion procedures. You can find individuals holding a variety of signs spelling out the need to protect unborn children, displaying pictures of aborted babies, stating that abortion kills a person, and displays calling doctors and women receiving abortions baby killers. Picketers can be peaceful or aggressive. Either way, there probably are not many women who feel their babies were saved from termination as a result of clinic picketers.
Everyone has the ability and responsibility to make choices. God gave us free will. We can choose Christ or not choose Him. We possess the ability to choose all of our actions. Christ wanted it that way.
Women who have received abortions or are considering ending their pregnancy, and doctors who perform abortion procedures all have made a choice. However, all of them are entitled to receive God’s love and grace. Many will choose not to receive His grace, but they also may not be aware of this choice.
As Bible-believing Christians, we need to show love and grace to this population that is repeatedly condemned for their actions. We are not called to condemn anyone. Plus, no good is accomplished while attacking a woman for her past. Invest your time in listening to people without the intent to solicit advice. Just listen and be present. Pray for them in your private time and politely offer to pray with them if the opportunity presents itself. Judgment only hurts relationships. Condemnation does not solve issues, it just angers people.
Let’s take this one step further. Show love to the protestors instead of attacking them. Acting out of love and grace does not mean you have to condone or agree with their actions. Simply pray for their ministry. Engage picketers in conversation to learn more about their individual lives and the development of their organization. Offer to pray with them as well.
As for the children that have been aborted – they are gone from our world. Trust that they now reside with our Creator. Dedicate prayer time for the babies and devote your time to women and families.
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