Next week, an anniversary will be celebrated by some and decried by others. For Christians, it’s an anniversary we can’t celebrate. In fact, this anniversary is one that causes great sadness and ongoing concern for the state of our society. Forty years ago, the Supreme Court legalized abortion in the United States.
Since that time, nearly fifty-six million children have been brutally, and legally, murdered. Do you think that’s a harsh statement? How else should we describe the action of abortion? When a living baby’s limbs are torn from his body with tools; when a chemical solution burns a living child inside and out until she’s dead; when a suction tube pulls and cuts a living child into pieces… what else can you call it? It’s murder.
As Christians, we don’t look to our government to define right from wrong. We don’t look to science to determine what we believe. We look to God and His Word. What does God have to say about this? “You Shall Not Murder.” (Exodus 20:13) It’s really that simple.
Abortion is an issue of faith. But, because politicians, activists, scientists and even religious leaders have redefined it as a social issue, many Christians have simply stopped listening. A recent report shows that only 1 in 5 Americans call abortion a “critical issue.” It’s simply become an accepted part of our society. For Christians, it cannot be acceptable. It is impossible to hold to the Christian faith and actively support the breaking of God’s commands. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24)
There are many websites you can visit, books you can read and videos you can watch that tell of the terrible consequences legalized abortion has had on the women who have undergone the procedures and on the morality of our society. I urge you to become informed through those sources. In the end, for a Christian the issue is summed up and decided in one command from God: “You Shall Not Murder.”
But, it is especially to one promise of God that we are eager to direct every repentant sinner—even those guilty of murder: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) This is a certainty because of the life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
-Rev. Paul Fries
To read our synod’s official stance, click here (scroll down to #10).
