“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live…”
Deuteronomy 30:19
I have actively avoided discussions of this topic because it is divisive and painful, and I have learned that sometimes the truth is difficult to bear. However, I have been convicted of my cowardice this week for remaining silent.
Abortion is sin. This is not my opinion, nor is it my version of the truth. This truth is in God’s holy word and hands.
First, to the Christian women out there who have had an abortion, you are not alone. You are loved by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are His treasured daughters, and nothing you have done or said can ever separate you from His great love for you. The fact you had an abortion does not define you in His eyes. He is full of mercy, grace, and forgiveness for all our missteps. If you are not a Christian, know that God loves you and sent his Son to die for you. His sacrifice makes way for the tremendous gift of salvation, and it is yours for the asking. Christ’s blood has the power to cover every sin and restore blameless innocence in the eyes of the Father.
If you have walked the arduous road of an ectopic pregnancy, may the Lord’s peace and comfort sustain you. Thank Him for your life and know that the little one you never got to meet is safe in His heavenly arms.
If you are a survivor of rape, I pray for God’s healing and protection over your heart and mind. You have done nothing wrong, and God sees you. He will judge those who have committed this unspeakable evil against you. Know that the Lord is your fortress and He will fight for you. There is no safer place for you than in His care.
Setting the stage:
In the Beginning…
The gift of life was so sacred that when God first granted it to mankind in the garden of Eden, He literally “breathed into [Adam’s] nostrils the breath of life.” This act on God’s part was deeply intimate and reserved only for human beings, whom He created as His image bearers.
King David beautifully describes God’s hand in pregnancy in the Psalms:
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Psalm 139:13-14a
Children are seen as one of God’s greatest blessings throughout scripture. To be barren (unable to have children) was considered a great hardship. Whenever a previously barren woman conceived, there was joy in the community. Above all, God was praised. See Sarah’s, Hannah’s, and Elizabeth’s stories.
Abortion is not a new concept, although the labels and methods have changed over time and become seemingly cleaner. The Bible records in Exodus abortion as a form of population control. The pharaoh of ancient Egypt during Moses’ day ordered the midwives to ensure that male infants were stillborn after they determined the baby’s sex on the birthing stool. The midwives refused and God honored and protected them from the pharaoh. (While some may argue that this example is not truly abortion, I’ll touch on this further. Keep reading.)
In short, all of scripture points to the value of life, and children are to be cherished and protected.
Now for the Science:
The recently passed abortion legislation in Texas involves week six of pregnancy. This is the benchmark where the new law says abortions are to be cut off. By this time, a fetal heartbeat can be detected on ultrasound.
In addition, the baby’s neural tube (foundation for her brain and spinal cord) has developed, and limbs are beginning to emerge.
Just two short weeks later, by week 8, research indicates that the fetus’s pain receptors are active. She is able to swallow and suckle (visible on ultrasound.) Her features are even more distinct.
Many argue that by supporting the “pro-life camp” a woman’s right to choose what is best for her body becomes restricted. Yes, absolutely. It is no longer just about her body. There is now an unborn body whose right to choose must also be respected.
Some take issue with the law for various reasons. Here are two major ones:
- Because many women do not know they are pregnant by six weeks and thus “miss” the window in which they can legally choose abortion.
- Because the law does not include exceptions for rape/incest.
Life is sacred at the point of conception. The union of sperm and egg creates a genetically unique and distinct individual who is separate, although temporarily housed and dependent on the mother’s body for survival. Science defines the smallest unit of life as “cells” and that is exactly what you and I began as in our mother’s wombs. We were cells which God breathed His life into and tenderly knit together. Thank the Lord our mothers chose not to abort us.
If you choose to be sexually active with your partner or spouse, you accept the possibility of resultant pregnancy inherently. Unplanned pregnancy can result in many types of hardship and depending on the situation, have long lasting impacts on the children who are born. However, just because life may be exceedingly difficult for a child, does not mean that the mother has the right to deny the child’s life altogether, six-week get out of jail free card or no.
While pregnancy resulting from rape is rare, it has occurred. For those of you to whom this applies, God grieves the wicked violation you have suffered at the hands of another. Occasionally, violated girls are too young to deliver safely. God sees your circumstances and He cares for you. He sees you if you are trapped in an abusive relationship. He knows your fears and pain. He will carry you if you let Him.
“Thou shalt not kill.”
Exodus 20:13 KJV
Abortion as anything other than a means to save life in a dire medical scenario (e.g., ectopic pregnancy which is already not viable to begin with) violates God’s law.
Twenty-four weeks is now the medically accepted benchmark for fetal viability outside the womb. Yet, many states legally permit abortions up to or even beyond this point.
Warning: Graphic images to follow.
What follows is imaging of fetal tissue from abortion procedures and miscarriages at various points in pregnancy.
6 Weeks
This is an image of a six-week-old fetus, the age at which the Texas legislation cuts off abortions due to fetal heartbeat.
This image was captured by “pro-life” Dr. Russel Sacco. Fetal age estimated at 10 weeks, just 4 brief weeks after the benchmark of the new Texas legislation.
Ezekiel was miscarried at 11 weeks. His parents chose to release his photo to show that he was not a “blob” of fetal tissue.
This image is of a baby boy named Miran who died in utero at 14 weeks. His mother requested induced labor and was able to bury her son’s tiny body. She released his photo after a medical professional suggested disposal of him as “medical waste.”
Now, returning to the biblical account of pharaoh and the midwives. The midwives recognized the sacred value of life and feared God more than they feared the king. Our technology and medical advances makes it easier and more palatable to end pregnancy earlier than these midwives had the option of doing. Yet, I don’t think THEY would see it as any less shameful than what pharaoh ordered them to do. These women were the epitome of strong, fearless women exercising the power of “choice.” They chose life no matter the personal cost to them, and God rewarded them for it.
Keep to the point. We are called to bear light and truth in this age of darkness. We are called to love men, women, children, and unborn babies. Loving others does not mean we must accept every action they take or choice they make as permissible. In fact, love does the opposite.
Pray for the women in your life. The world is trying to tear them down. Be a source of hope and truth that builds them up.
Grace and Peace,
A.A. Wordsmith
Resources:
https://www.businessinsider.com/latest-point-in-pregnancy-you-can-get-abortion-in-50-states-2019-5
Selah Vie! 