Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice

 

 

First of all just what is abortion?  Abortion means the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy.  Abortion is a huge topic these days.  It can be a personal or a political issue, but it’s a moral question.  This topic is a sensitive subject and can quickly divide people. 

Babies are aborted in many ways.  There’s the abortion pill, the morning-after pill, the intra-uterine device, vacuum aspiration abortion, dilatation and evacuation, dilatation and curettage, and partial birth abortion.   It’s a quick fix for unwanted babies and is accepted by the world’s standards, but that’s not God’s standard.  God creates life.  He is the Author of life.  “your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:16.  “Before the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’” – Jeremiah 1:5.  “Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name.” – Isaiah 49:1. 

Children are a gift from God.  “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.” -  Psalm 127:3-4.  God opens and closes the womb.  He decides when life begins and ends.  “Do I bring the moment of birth and not give delivery?’ says the Lord.  ‘Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?’ says your God.” – Isaiah 66:9. 

The argument for most people is when does life begin and why does it matter?  Some states legalize abortion up to the time of birth.  They say it’s a woman’s body and she should be able to do what she wants, but really it’s not.  It’s the baby’s body and it has the right to live.  The woman made her choice when she had sex (with the exception of rape and only 1% is due to rape).  It’s really funny and doesn’t make sense that if a pregnant woman is in a car accident and the baby she is caring is killed the person causing accident can be charged with murder.  This makes no sense.  Either it’s a baby or it’s not.  You can’t have it both ways.

Abortion is often used when a woman finds herself pregnant, but finds it’s inconvenient   so it's simply unwanted.  There are no unwanted kids.  Lots of couples who can’t get pregnant want to adopt.  Pregnancy is not a mistake.  God makes no mistakes.  We don’t always understand why God brings pregnancy to some and not others.  He is the giver of life.  People are more concerned about life of pets, animals, turtle eggs, etc. than human lives.  The issue should not political.  It’s a moral issue.  People make the choice to have sex.  They know the risk and should be responsible for their choices and the consequences. 

Some say a baby in womb isn’t a person.  Science says when a child is conceived a brand new DNA is formed.  At 6 weeks the heart beats and there are brain functions after 18 weeks.  By 20 weeks and as early at 12 weeks the baby can feel pain.  So when abortion is occurring, the baby feels it all. 

There are two sides to abortion.  On side is called pro-life.  They are against taking the life of the unborn.  The other side in called pro-choice.  They are supporters of abortion rights and think it is acceptable.  The act of abortion has been legal since Roe v. Wade was made law in 1973 establishing that abortion was a constitutional right.  The U. S. Court now possesses 5 t0 4 with the majority opposed to the abortion law.  We may see this law overturned someday soon.

The Abortion Argument:

Pro-Choice -

US Supreme Court has declared abortion to be a right.

Reproduction choice empowers women giving them control over their own bodies.

A person begins after a fetus becomes viable, able to survive outside the womb.

Fetuses are incapable of feeling pain when abortions are performed.

Access to legal professional abortions reduces injury and death caused by unsafe illegal abortions.

Modern abortion procedures are safe and don’t have lasting health issues.

Women who receive abortions are less likely to suffer mental health problems.

Abortion gives women option to choose if baby has abnormalities.

Women denied abortions are likely to be unemployed, be on welfare, be below poverty line, etc.

Abortion protects women from financial disadvantage.

A baby shouldn’t come into the world unwanted.

Abortion reduces welfare costs to taxpayers.

Abortion reduces crime.

Abortion means population control.

Many religious organizations support women’s choice.

Pro-Life -

 Abortion is murder.  Killing of an innocent human being is wrong.

Life begins at conception so unborn babies are human beings with the right to life.

Fetuses feel pain during the abortion procedure.

Abortion is the killing of a human being which defies the Word of God.

Roe v. Wade was wrong and should be overturned.

Abortion cause psychological damage.  The Southern Medical Journal reported that abortions increase risk for depression and 54% likely to commit suicide.  There are symptoms like guilt, anger, anxiety, depression, grief, flashbacks abortion, sexual dysfunction, relationship problems, etc.

Abortions reduce the number of adoptable babies.

Women should not able able to use abortion as a form of contraception.

Women should accept the responsibility that comes with producing a child.

The Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors swears to practice ethically medicine and forbids abortion.

Abortion promotes a culture where human life is disposable.

Abortion conflicts with the unalienable right to life recognized by the Founding Fathers.

Abortion disproportionately affects African American babies.

Abortion eliminates the potential societal contribution of a future human being.

Abortion may lead to future medical problems for the woman.

Abortion Stats

According to the CDC the total number of abortions in the US from 1973 – 2018 is 61.8 million and 186 abortions per 1,000 live births.  In 2018-2019 Planned Parenthood aborted 345,672 babies.  Women who obtained abortions in 2016 were 35% white, 38% black, 18.8% Hispanic, and 8.2% other.  In my opinion Planned Parenthood is the worst thing ever to happen to us.  It’s a holocaust all over again.  Their current annual report reveals that they will continue prioritizing abortions as their other services decline.  Abortions make up 95% of their services.  Not only do they kill babies, but they sell the body parts.  See the video of the sworn testimony on selling baby parts by Dr. Dorothy Frogperson, a Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood.   https://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/2020/05/planned-parenthood-testimony-on-selling-baby-parts-unsealed-new-videos-released/    They are in it for the money.  Their assets are $2 billion. 

Where is the outrage?

If you have had an abortion, it doesn’t mean that people are opposed to you as a person.  Abortion is forgivable.  God offers forgiveness and healing after abortion.  We all have pasts that need to be forgiven.  God is in the business of forgiveness.  If the apostle Paul can be forgiven for killing many, many Christians, He can forgive you of abortion.  There is nothing God wants more than to help you feel His forgiveness.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us of all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9.   ‘There, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” – Romans 8:1.

What can you do to end abortion?  Of course we can never stop praying that this horrible infanticide stops.  Write letters to your Senators and Congressmen.  Support and even donate to organizations that are fighting to overturn abortion laws.  You can help elect competent, high moral thinking people of good character to govern us.  Vote for people who believe that abortion is morally wrong to take the life of a human being.

Join me here next time.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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What Does God Say About Abortion?

 

Our current culture is divided on the abortion issue, but what does the Bible say.  It never specifically uses the term abortion, but still it is clear what God’s view of abortion is.  Abortion is murder.  It is the killing of a human being who is created in the image of God.  There are many Scriptures on this.  Here are a few.

Humans have value because God created man in His image.

Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” 

Psalm 119:73a – “Your hands made me and formed me”

God formed every human being.

Psalm 139:13-16 – “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; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”  You can’t get much plainer that that!

Job 10:11-12 – “You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews.  You have a granted me life and steadfast love.”  (Sinews means a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament.)

Matthew 1:20 – “But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’”

Isaiah 44:24 – “This is what the Lord says the Lord - your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: ‘I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by me’”.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Isaiah 49:1b – “Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name.”

Children are a gift from God.

Psalm 127:3-5a – “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are sons born in of one’s youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them!”

God values life.

Genesis 9:6 – “Whoever shed the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God has God made man.”

Exodus 20:13 – “You shall not murder.”

Exodus 23:7b – “… Do not put an innocent or honest person to death, or I will not acquit the guilty.”

Deuteronomy 30:19 – “… Now choose life, so that you and your children may live...”

We are to speak up for the preborn.

Proverbs 24:11 – “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

Proverbs 31:8 – “Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves.”

A women who support abortion say it’s my body and I should be able to do with it what I want.  Well, it’s really not her body.  God created it and it belongs to Him.  Your body is twice owned by God.  He made it and He redeemed it when He died for you on the cross. “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body – 1 Cor. 6:19b-20.

There are over 98% of abortions performed to women who simply don’t want to have a baby.  Less than 2% of abortions are from rape, incest, or the mother’s life being at risk.  A child can survive outside the womb at just 21 weeks gestation.  Abortion is one of the biggest money-making industries in our nation.  Since Roe v. Wade decision in effect 1973, there have been 63 million abortions in this country alone. 

Jesus affirmed his position on the value of life when he came into the world through a young unwed teenage girl named Mary.  Those who are for abortion say it’s not a baby until it’s born, but in Luke 1:39-45 Mary’s preborn child is recognized as a baby – “…And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb”.  Notice “the baby” leaped, not a fetus or glob of tissue.

Our humanity is given to us, not earned.  For those who say a woman gets to decide when life is a life is playing God.  Only God has that authority.

If you have had an abortion, Jesus forgives just like He forgives any other sin you have committed.  Jesus already paid for your sin on the cross.  Don’t live in guilt and pain.  God can use your story to help another woman and perhaps save her child.

Principle: Only God has the authority to give and take life.

To read more about life vs choice see https://devotionsbylv.blogspot.com/search?q=abortion

Join me here next time.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/63459781-abortions-since-roe-v-wade-we-pray-2022-is-its-last-anniversary.html

 

Kingdom Divided Lesson 23 – Micah

  

Note:  For clarity the Kings of Israel are coded in Orange and Kings of Judah are coded in Blue.

Micah was a prophet who lived during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah.  This book in a mixture of judgment and hope.  Micah warned about God’s judgment against the capital cities of both kingdoms, Jerusalem (southern kingdom) and Samaria (northern kingdom), because of the sinfulness of their people, rulers, prophets and priests.  Micah also promised the restoration of Zion and a kingdom of peace for those who worshiped and belonged in God.  He prophesied that a ruler born in Bethlehem would set up a kingdom that would last forever.

God gives warnings so we will not have to suffer His wrath.  Judgment is certain if God’s warnings aren’t heeded and the sacrifice of His Son is rejected.  For the believer, God will discipline us, not from hate, but because He loves us.  He knows sin destroys us and He wants us whole.

Micah 1-2 – God is Coming in Judgment

Micah’s warning was for Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.  His vision was concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.  He denounces their specific sins: the sin of idolatry (Micah 1:1-7); the sin of covetousness and pride (Micah 2:1-5); the sin of listening to false prophets (Micah 2:6-11).

Our wrong desires can escalate into acts of sin. “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” – Matthew 15:18-19.  “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:14-15.

We all battle with sin just like Judah and Israel.  Nothing has changed in 2,000 years.  We lie and cheat and are guilty of idolatry.  The lesson here is if we don’t repent, we will face God’s judgment.  If we repent, God will show mercy and forgive us.

Micah gives an encouraging promise to people.  God will restore and bring together the remnant of Israel (Micah 2:12-13).

Micah 3-5 – God is Coming in Peace

Micah denounced the sins of Israel and Judah’s corrupt leaders: they hate good and love evil (Micah 3:1-4); the prophets lead the people astray (Micah 3:5-7); the leaders despise justice and distort all that is right and take bribes, the priests teach for a price, and the prophets tell fortunes for money  (Micah 3:9-12).

Leaders are held to a higher standard.  Others see what they do and think if they do it, it must be ok.  “In everything set them an example by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity ….” – Titus 2:7.  “… we who teach will be judged more strictly.” – James 3:1b.

Micah’s leadership as God’s prophet differs from the other leaders.  He was full on power by the Spirit of the Lord.  He had confidence in God.  He knew God and was close to Him and His Word.  “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.” – Micah 3:8.

God has placed you where you are for a reason.  It may be in the work-place with co-workers or at home with your family.  Wherever you are, you are to set an example to stand with Him and do what is right.

Micah 4:1-8 – Micah talked about in the last day the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established.  This is the ultimate city of Jerusalem, the city of Zion.  This will be fulfilled in the millennium when all will be restored and Jerusalem will be the capital of the millennial earth.  I look forward to unity and peace and the pure worship of the Lord forever.

Micah revealed that a future Shepherd and King would be their peace.  He would be a Shepherd who rules by the power of God.  Of course this King is Jesus.  We learn in Micah 5:2-5 that He will come from Bethlehem, be ruler over Israel, will be great to the ends of the earth, and will bring peace.

Knowing that Jesus will return should impact our lives.  We should encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25).  We should spread the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20).  We should do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).  Whatever we do we should do it as if working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).  His returning gives us hope.  There will be no more pain or grief.  We will receive perfect bodies.  We will be reunited with our deceased loved ones.  We will be with the Lord forever.

Micah 6-7 – God is Coming in Mercy

God appealed to Israel in Micah 6:1-7.  He told them to stand up and plead their case to the Lord.  He told to remember their journey and how God rescued them, remember how they were counseled, and to bow down before the exalted God.  God had showed them what was good and what was required of them.  Micah connects our faith with our actions.  God gives us the gift of salvation by grace.  But He desires us to apply these instructions in return.  He wants us to walk humbly with Him, to love mercy, and to act justly.  All of which only comes from the Holy Spirit – God Himself.

What does it mean to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly before God? (Micah 6:8)

To act justly means to be impartial and non-judgmental toward those that are different from you.  It means to speak out about injustice like abortion, human trafficking, bulling.  It’s not participating in something when you know it’s a sin just because you want to be accepted.

To love mercy means facing insults without retaliating, forgiving over and over again, bearing the consequences of someone else’s sin, reaching out to the lonely and not expecting anything in return, having compassion for those in need.

To walk humbly with your God means to recognize that the Lord is high and exalted and you are not.  It’s to understand His authority as Creator.  It’s trusting Him with your care and the world’s problems.

God is gracious and doesn’t remain angry forever.  He loves to show mercy and compassion.  Israel and Judah faced judgment as God held them accountable for their sins against Him and others.  He promised judgment but also hope.  Micah’s warnings are for us today.  We live in a world that demonstrates wickedness against its people every day.  God wants us to remember He will judge the evil and the sins of the world.  The only way to escape is to repent and turn to God.

What are ways you can act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God?

What gifts and abilities has He given you for that?

What is keeping you from applying these instructions?

Micah offered hope to Israel. “… I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7-9.  They were to watch and wait, because through God’s judgment, they would rise again.

We learn in Micah 7:18-20 that no one is like God.  He pardons sin and forgives our transgressions.  He doesn’t stay angry forever, because He loves showing us mercy and compassion.

Principle:  God desires us to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him. 

This week’s attribute of God is He is Good.  God’s ways are righteous.  He is just and merciful.  He offers hope, refuge, and care to all who come to Him.  He makes all things work together for our good.

Next time we will continue our study of Kingdom Divided with the books of Nahum and Zephaniah.  Hope to see you here. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Romans 13:8-14 – The Debt You Owe

Romans 13:8-10 – Your Debt

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman as fulfilled the law.” – Rom. 13:8  Paul frequently speaks of love - “love must be sincere”, “be devoted to one another in brotherly love”, let all that you do be done in love”, love your neighbor as yourself”, “walk in love”.  Love is the proper fulfillment of God’s moral law.  We are to love all people – believers and unbelievers. 

Love never fails; love never ends.  We Christians should pay our debts including the debt of love for others, because love fulfills God’s law.  We are to owe nothing to anyone and as in previous verses we are to pay our taxes.  There is one debt that we will always have a need to pay and that is the debt of love.  We have incurred this debt because we received God’s gracious love while we were still sinners.  If you have received the gracious gift of eternal life, then you owe a debt to love to all people.  Through His love for us, His love should spill over to others.

Paul reminds us to not commit adultery, or murder, or steal, or covet.  We are to “Love your neighbor as yourself.  Love does no harm to its neighbor.” – Rom. 13:9-10.  When we disobey these commands we are harming someone.  Who is our neighbor?  It’s anyone and everyone.  We are to love all people, not only other Christians.  Love is not a feeling, but a choice.

How are you working at paying the debt that you will always owe – the debt of love for others?

Principle:  Christians are to love all people.

Romans 13:11-14 – Your Walk

Paul tells us in Rom. 13:11-14 that at this present time we should wake up because our salvation is near.  We’re getting closer and closer to the return of Jesus so we should be ready and live as if He will return anytime.  We are to put aside deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.  We are to behave decently, not in orgies and drunkenness, not is sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.  We are to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and not gratify our sinful desires.

This “present time” Paul is talking about is an evil time.  It was evil in Paul’s day and it is evil now.  It’s a dangerous time when there are many evil beliefs and behaviors.  It’s a time to wise up, repent and believe.  It is a time for salvation.  Now is the time to live faithfully for God.  Christians have unlimited opportunities to glorify God and influence others for good.

 

Believers should wake up.  We should not be lazy as we wait for Jesus’ return.  He has given us all work to do.  We are supposed to be awake and walking in the light of day, because we are looking for the coming of the Lord Jesus.  Unbelievers are more than asleep and lazy – they are dead spiritually.

How are you living out the gospel in light of our times?

What does it mean “to put on the armor of light”?  The Bible often describes the sinful world as living in darkness.  Satan’s territory in Col. 1:13 is described the world as the “domain of darkness”.  We are to not walk in darkness.  Unbelievers live in darkness, but Jesus is the Light of the world and when we follow Him we walk in the light.  To “put on the armor of light” is to put on the Lord Jesus and choose right behaviors.  We must live as Christ wants us to live and not think about the things that would satisfy our sinful human desires.

What does it mean to “clothe yourselves with the Lord”?  It’s walking in the ways of Scripture and being like Jesus.  It’s obeying His commands, being merciful and forgiving, and loving others as much as we love ourselves.  It’s putting on His character.  It’s staying in His Word as we learn how to live as He did, staying in prayer, and putting Him in the center of our lives.  It’s running from temptations and running to God.

In today’s culture we normalize behaviors that the Bible calls indecent.  Some of these indecent things are sex outside marriage, divorce, drugs, excessive drinking and partying, abortion, homosexually, murder, jealousy, and the list goes on.  Even churches are watering down the message of Christ and His truths.

The world says if you believe in moral absolutes, you’re living in the dark ages.  It says there is no judgment and hell.  How could a loving God judge good people?  The Bible tells us just the opposite.  The world is in darkness concerning God, concerning our purpose for living and concerning death and eternity.

How do you normalize unbiblical behaviors?

Principle:  The way to live decently is to clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Next time we will study Romans 14.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  Hope to see you here again.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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