I have prayed and voted for the end of Roe vs Wade for many years because I believe the Bible teaches that life begins at conception.
See 5 Reasons Jesus Teaches Us to Choose Life
As we see the end of Roe v. Wade, here are 5 reflections that I am commending to our church in my role as a lead pastor/minister.
1. Let’s thank God for hearing our prayers about overturning the injustice of Roe v. Wade.
I have known people who have prayed every day for years that Roe v. Wade would end. Most Bible-based Christians have known that it is tragic that over 60 million babies have been aborted and have worked and/or voted so that the law would change. Let’s thank God, even as we know that the decision will fuel ongoing challenges, conflicts, and new laws. This decision will result in the reduction of abortions, but it will not stop them. The battle will move from state to state, yet the defeat of an unjust legal model that killed so many unborn humans is to be celebrated.
“The battle will move from state to state, yet the defeat of an unjust legal model that killed so many unborn humans is to be celebrated.”
2. Women (and men) need to know that God forgives abortion.
There are many women in our churches who have secretly chosen abortion. Many men in our churches have encouraged women to abort their unborn children. When they hear sermons or teachings on abortion, many secretly tune-out or cringe from shame. Our tone and messaging need to be biblical and grace-filled. God is merciful and forgives all sins for those who repent, including those who have chosen abortion or encouraged it.
3. The church must double down making adoption easy and well-publicized.
Based upon my experience, both personally and through research, there are more than dozens of families seeking to adopt a child for every newborn available for adoption. Women and couples contemplating abortion because of life circumstances need to know that there are MANY loving, capable families who will adopt their child and give them a good life. We must support the just cause of crisis pregnancy centers and adoption agencies.
4. Disciples of Jesus need to continue to advocate for protection/justice for unborn humans.
Many of us want to avoid controversy. Many believe that Christians should keep their views on such issues to themselves and private. Yet, at the same time, they likely do not think Christians should have held that same posture toward the Germans who supported Hitler or toward those who enforced/upheld slavery. Like John the Baptist or the apostle Paul, we should appeal for what is right in the public space. We want to live in a just society, and in a democracy we have the opportunity to speak and vote. Let’s continue to defend the unborn.
5. Disciples need to speak against violence and intimidation, publicly and privately.
Throughout the past decades, public figures on both sides have called for practices that involve intimidation and/or violence to force their beliefs on others. Our memory of how Martin Luther King, Jr. handled racism will be the model that I will point people to consider. His leadership of the Civil Rights Movement was grounded in a Christian vision that can guide disciples of Jesus on this issue. He helped move his just cause forward through strong and steady conviction that eschewed retaliation and incivility.
“He helped move his just cause forward through strong and steady conviction that eschewed retaliation and incivility.”
If you are a Christian living in the US, I ask you to join us as we continue to pray for our nation, earnestly and fervently. Because we love our neighbors, we will continue to support policies that protect people, especially the most vulnerable among us. Yet even the most praiseworthy legal decisions don’t change hearts or bring heaven to earth, even if they do help teach minds and steer cultures toward greater justice. As always, putting our trust and allegiance in King Jesus is our hope. We put our greatest efforts toward asking God to bring a national revival that changes all of our hearts!
