SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY
Years ago I volunteered at a Crisis Pregnancy Center with a Christ centered philosophy. It was truly one of the best ministry experiences I’ve ever been involved with. During the years I served, I learned so much about people and about myself.
When people reveal their heart, it is easy to see why the abortion issue is so fraught with conflict. The dispute is not really about whether a baby should live or die. It’s about whether a woman has a right to allow her unborn child to be killed.
It’s very plain that sin is at the root of abortion. That sin is the demand to control. For a Christian, there is no conflict. More to the point, the struggle for control over our lives should not be a conflict. We Believers know that Jesus paid the price for our lives—heart, mind, body, and spirit. He paid with His life. If we choose Jesus and His gift of forgiveness and eternal life, the question is settled. We gave up our rights to “self”. We no longer control anything, but have yielded all to our Savior. He is our Lord and Master.
People are often yielded to the lies of Devil who asks the question, “when does life begin?” The doubt is cast when the question evolves to become, “Does life really begin at conception?” Ultrasound technology allows us to know the truth to these questions. Yes, life does begin at conception. The Devil continues to deceive women, just as he did with Eve long ago in the Garden. He plants doubt, and we fall for it. People have sought an excusable way out of an unplanned pregnancy, and thought they had found it in Roe Vs. Wade.
It is the Devil who says to the heart and mind of women, “Do you really want a baby? A baby requires so much care, time, and effort. You’ll be trapped and your life will be ruined.”
It is the Devil who casts the doubt in a woman’s mind that she is unfit to raise a child, particularly if she didn’t want it in the first place.
It is the Devil who whispers to a woman that her life is more important than that of her child.
The more we listen, the easier it is to convince ourselves that we have the right and responsibility to end a life. I heard these excuses from the Devil so many times, as women tried to convince themselves to follow through on an abortion.
One thing I learned while counseling is that women have a conscience, the one God gives to all of us so we can discern right from wrong. When we violate that conscience, we feel the guilt and the shame. Life is valuable to God. Each life has a purpose God has determined. When we cease to value life, we have violated God’s Law.
I praise our Lord for forgiveness for sin. He alone can provide the absolution so many seek. The Bible tells us that He puts our sin “as far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12, KJV). He doesn’t remember our sin: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12) Believers, this is why we can believe our sin has been taken away. He doesn’t keep a record around so He can bring it up from time to time. He frees us from that awful guilt and shame.
Unbelievers can also be forgiven and cleansed from sin by turning to Jesus in repentance, asking forgiveness and seeking Him to be your Lord and Savior. If abortion is your sin, please know that if you will accept the righteousness of Jesus, you can be saved from the punishment of your sin. He has already taken your punishment for you when He died on the cross. All you must do is receive it.
Abortion is a hideous crime against women and it is an attempt by the Devil to defeat God’s plan. Do not be fooled. There are many married couples who would be willing to adopt and love an unwanted child. There are many who will help someone in a crisis pregnancy. Seek them out. There is much knowledge available about the in uterine child. Get knowledge to know the truth. If you need to talk about this, contact me.
January 22nd is Sanctity of Life Sunday. Let us defend the life of the unborn.
Copyright © 2012 by Linda Hull
