Part 1 of this article discussed some background information on the legal and technical issues behind abortion. Part 2 focuses on the role the collective body of Christ can play in informing the decision-making process of women contemplating abortion (and the men and families who encourage her).
At the conclusion of Part 1, I barraged you with a series of questions. Here are my answers. If the church’s opposition to abortion originates from love, then it will seek to provide safety and support for women contemplating abortion. It will seek to provide spiritual counseling and embrace the women in non-judgmental love. It will also seek to answer the most basic questions behind the decision to abort, which include how the woman will provide for herself and the child (medical care, shelter, food, clothing, etc.); how a girl will speak with her parents, such as finding ways to mediate a discussion between her and her parents to ensure she is not “disowned” or ensure her safety if she is disowned; and what potential effects may come later in the woman’s life from the decision.
If I commit a wrong against someone else, in most cases I can find a way to make it right. Abortion is irreversible, in the sense that if the woman later regrets the decision, she cannot make it right. Women are not being told this. In fact, the entire discussion on the consequences of our decisions has been categorically and systematically omitted from secular society.
How I know this discussion has been categorically and systematically omitted from secular society is that acceptance of consequences requires personal responsibility for one’s own actions, and personal responsibility is sorely lacking.
Unfortunately, I do not come away with a sense that the church in general operates from a place of love when the subject of abortion arises. I just do not see these discussions occurring on a regular enough basis to be convinced that love is behind the abortion debate. Let me here define “church.” The church is made up of individuals who have pledged their belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. My use of “church” in this article does not refer to a building or a denomination; rather it refers to everyone who make up the membership in all churches. I must leave room for people (and individual churches) out there who are doing something about abortion, because I know there are. My point is that the “church” in general is not doing everything it is capable of doing.
Love is not love unless it is moved to act. Idle love is not love at all. Love works in the best interest of others, and if “love” is sitting on the sidelines, then it is not accomplishing anything. Love means doing something about the issue, whether it be paying for a doctor’s appointment, arranging for childcare, buying a week’s worth of groceries, paying this month’s rent, listening, counseling, evangelism, etc.
If the church’s (and your) opposition originates from a political bias or support for a political candidate, please go back and re-read the last few paragraphs and take some time to consider what you are really telling women contemplating abortion. What you are really saying is you would rather they not have an abortion but you are not willing to meet their most basic needs or answer their most basic questions. What you are really saying is that you’d rather a political candidate legislate Christianity, ban all abortions, and then open the church doors and wait for the masses to come.
Folks, it doesn’t work like that. If Christ could be legislated into the hearts of men and women, it would have already been done, and His death on the cross would be in vain! A change of heart in the lives of everyday Americans will not come from Washington, DC. And if you think someone will be voted into office and actually follow through with campaign promises, all you need to do is review the broken promises of past elected officials, some of whom spend a considerable amount of time courting the church.
If the church’s (and your) opposition originates out a general opposition to sin, please take special note that general opposition is not enough. There are unfortunately a large number of people in our society who are caught up either in an addiction or the effects/trap of sin, whether by their own choice or not, who genuinely need help and sincerely do not see a clear way out. They cannot see over the horizon to better days ahead, and now here is the church riding its horse taking swings at “sin” just because it’s wrong. There is no love in that, folks, and it should be no wonder the world looks at the church with disdain.
So, if the church’s (and your) opposition to abortion does not come from a place of love (interpret this as taking action to do something about the issue), then it must be either politically or religiously motivated, and neither is going to solve any problems anytime soon.
George Müller was not known as someone who observed orphan children and said, “Someone really ought to do something about them,” or “I’m going to vote for Smith because he supports getting orphan children off the street.” No, he felt pain for them deep within his heart and gave considerable time in thought and prayer over what to do. The Lord led him to do something about what he saw. Did he rescue all the children in Bristol? No. Did he change the lives of some children in Bristol? Absolutely! Was it worth his effort? Absolutely!
We do not have the option of sitting on the sidelines and still expect to hear from the Lord, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” A servant is one who does something!
Abortion clinics, those who promote abortion, judges, doctors, etc. are not having an open and honest discussion on the effects of an abortion. Unfortunately, I do not see it from the church either. What empathy does the church (and you) have toward women contemplating abortion? Step into her shoes for a moment and consider what it might be like to have a religious parent who you are afraid will kick you out of the house? Consider what it might be like to not have enough money to make ends meet, and now to have the prospect of a child who will create additional financial burdens. Consider what it might be like to not have a support network — the father bails, the parents refuse, friends at school look down their noses.
Now, you can dismiss this entire article because it is written by a man, and say I don’t know what it’s like to be a woman, you just don’t understand. You’re totally right, I don’t know. However, I do know what it’s like to be squeezed financially to the point of wondering if my kids might be the next cardboard box family under the interstate overpass. I know what it’s like to have only 2 or 3 presents under the tree on Christmas morning because of financial hardship. I do know what it’s like to lose my job and be bitter against God for it. I know what it’s like to be there at every step during pregnancy, witness the birth of my children, and invest a considerable amount of time and effort into raising them.
And I also know what it feels like to know I am loved by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a feeling no one on this earth can give me but which we can facilitate for someone else by showing them Christ. It is a feeling of confidence and protection, knowing I can go through the day without having to worry, and if a need comes up that does not get met, I can rest assured that there is a greater purpose in it. I know this because I know what it feels like to have 15 cars and trucks pull into the driveway to help move a household out of sick house. I know what it feels like to have cars pull into the driveway and see people walk up to the house with bags of groceries in their hands. I know what it feels like to get an unexpected check in the mail at a time when the bank account is too low to pay the necessary bills.
And I know many, many women would like to know this same love too, if only there was someone who would tell them about Jesus. If only there was someone who would show them the love of Jesus by helping them and bringing a little light to the darkness of their situation.
Is that person you?
Like this post? Subscribe to stay up to date on new posts.