Ending Abortion With the Law of Love

There is a massive movement of evangelists at current to Abolish Human Abortion, not just to outlaw it, but to criminalize it. I agree completely that abortion is murder: those who perform abortions, get abortions, and are accessories to abortion are guilty of murder and should be prosecuted. In fact I wrote a position paper in 2006 anathematizing the USAF's consideration to fund abortions through Tri-Care, and I went so far (to start conversation within the class) as to call for the UCMJ to make abortion a punishable offense under Articles 118, 119, and 133.

But, the legality of abortion is only a symptom of a much greater problem. If abortion were 100% illegal and punishable by death tomorrow, as it should be, the world would only be a little cleaner on the outside, but inside, it would still be filled with every manner of filth and sin. A symptom would be gone, but the root cause, the root corruption would be un-phased.

Consider the abolition of slavery in the United States starting in the early 1800s and culminating in 1863. Now, I am completely against racial slavery (compare: The Doctrine of Slavery), but the abolition movement is not the godsend which it is so often credited with. In fact, I would rather say it has made some things worse, and the abolition of slavery, and the continued farce of the "End-It" movement, do what Peter said of false teachers, "They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption (2 Peter 2:19)."

The abolition of slavery was done by law, it ought to have been perfected with the gospel. I will explain this in a moment. First though, the Bible does not use the word "slave" only for the first century or to be thrown out when our superstitious secularism warrants, "Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust (1 Peter 2:18)." "Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord (Colossians 3:22)." "Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven (Colossians 4:1)." "Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it (1 Corinthians 7:21)." Slavery exists today throughout the world, and nonetheless in America, and will until Christ returns. Slavery was not wrong because it is slavery, but because it was abused, it was racial, it required kidnapping, and many masters were unjust.

Had slavery been perfected by the gospel, then the nation and the world would be in much less bondage than they are today. In a perfect postmillenial world (one that does not exist and will never exist), where the gospel had been preached and believed and obeyed in America, slavery would have ceased to be the stain on the humanitarian history of these United States. Had the gospel been preached, fair treatment of slaves exhorted, and the refusal to partake in purchasing slaves who had been kidnapped or treated like cattle, then the manselling trade and the Middle Passage would have ceased to function. Imagine this, the Hannibal, a slave ship, deemed a pirate ship by an 1808 law prohibiting the importation of slaves, anchors in Mobile Bay with 692 slaves aboard. The average price per slave is $10.50; but Christian slave-owners, seeing the abysmal conditions on board, and finding that not a single slave was willingly indentured, refuse to pay $10.50 else they be in support of this illegal and immoral practice (Similarly, and a complete aside, supporting pornography, even only through your cable-internet bill, enslaves and destroys thousands of young people each year). What would happen next? At the very least the Hannibal would not carry any more slaves to the New World, for there is no profit in it, nor would any other ship. Perhaps the captain of this ship, in order to recoup some cost, would drastically reduce the price of slaves, in which case Christians desiring to show the grace of Christ might buy them to set them free (Compare This Story), or to act as just and fair masters. In either case, the gospel would rectify the slave trade without prohibition and without promising freedom only to deliver greater slavery.

For there are two sets of laws in the world, the worldly prohibiting kind which are rarely obeyed and frequently broken (do not steal, do not drink and drive, do not murder babies), and the heavenly law of love (love your neighbor as yourself). The law of love is so encompassing and perfect that it need not prohibit violence or racism, because if you love someone, you will seek their highest good and ignore superficialities. The law of love demonstrated in slavery would have benefited everyone far more than the Emancipation Proclamation. The law of love is infinitely more capable of ending abortion than any legislation. A mommy who loves God and their baby will not destroy that baby or the image of God being knit together inside of them. A daddy who loves his child will stand up and be a man and honor Christ in protecting life and raising that child in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

An evangelist preaching the gospel indiscriminately to a crowd will (Lord willing) impact the lives of far more people than preaching focused messages at the abortion minded. Instead of fighting the symptom at a murder clinic, gospel preaching ought to start by addressing the root cause, a sinful heart which leads to fornication, disregard for life, and murder. In my ministry towards youth, allow me to boast for a moment, I know that it is more productive to ensure that little girls never need to consider an abortion and to teach them to love and obey Jesus and give them a hope in the Living God, than to try to ward them off at a moment of great despair and hopelessness.

A famous evangelist once compared addiction ministry to a playground near a dangerous cliff. Children regularly fell down the cliff, some were killed and others gravely injured. One response, the addiction ministry response, was to build a hospital at the bottom of the cliff in order to minister to those who had fallen. The other response, the gospel ministry response, was to put a fence and warning signs up to warn of impending danger. Beloved, which works better? The one that ministers to the effect, or the one that ministers to the cause.

The current abortion ministry and abolition movement are treating symptoms of sin, and while they are doing some good, the greatest good is to be done in full time gospel ministry, in treating the wicked heart which brings forth sexual immorality and murder. A girl converted to Christ in middle-school will never consider an abortion. A high-school boy who determines to honor Christ by waiting for his future wife will never pressure someone into taking RU-486 or be an accomplice to the murder of a baby. An abortion doctor who has no patients will have to resort to finding a second job.

It is a commendable thing to be against abortion, and to call it what it is: cold blooded murder. But beloved, just as the abolition of slavery did not abolish slavery, neither will the outlawing of abortion end abortion. The law has a way of awakening our nature to break that law, but Christ is the cure for the rebellion and fallenness of humanity, he alone has the ability to replace a wicked heart with a sanctified heart.

And finally, and probably most harshly, the abolition of slavery has done innumerable damage to the nation, not just to one people-group, but all who are enslaved without knowing their captivity to the devil. Christ came to set the captives free. A person who does not recognize their enslavement does not seek an Emancipator. The outlawing of abortion without a strong gospel presence will condemn many more people than are currently condemned. As harsh as it is to say, a child murdered is guaranteed instant Heaven by their faith in God (Matthew 18:3) and the faithfulness of God (Matthew 18:14). A child who grows up in a pagan culture is condemned by the sins of their fathers. Adrian Rogers once made the excellent point that fixing atrocities without the preaching of the gospel is only, "making the world a nicer place to go to Hell from."

Preaching the gospel faithfully to all men will result in fewer abortions and make famous the name of the One who is able to save to the uttermost all of those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. So beloved, I implore you to focus on the cause of abortion, and not the symptom of abortion, that you minister to lost sinners in your church, in their schools and universities, in the park, at the mall, at festivals. Wherever people may be found, preempt the need for abortion ministry by proclaiming Christ and him crucified.

Thankful for Pro-Life - Abortion in America

This is the third of three articles on abortion in America.
Click for Article 1 and Article 2

There are a lot of people in this world who are not happy, who are not fulfilled, and who see very little reason to live or purpose for being here. There is one major reason that these things happen, because sin is an affection stealer, it breaks things, it breaks people, relationships, nations, worlds, universes. It is reprehensible and something we should all hate. But we don't; Andrew Fuller put it this way:

Though you be what is called a sinner, yet, if sin were your misfortune, rather than your fault, you might fly for refuge.

Our pride blinds our eyes to the effects of sin, because we feel we deserve the pleasure derived from sin, and that after all, when I'm doing it, it's really not that bad. We have no difficulty rationalizing sin, and unfortunately we pay the consequences afterwards.

As a pastor, I am always on the look-out for people who are feeling down and need a kind word, or an encouragement, or intervention. As I watch, I hear comments that really get me down, things like, "I hate drama," or, "I don't like people," or "I wish somebody loved me." It should be no secret to you, dear reader, that I love drama, I love people, and I am so thankful for so many people to love and be loved by, and in all of that, there is only one person to thank, the God and man Christ Jesus, who gives life, and an overabundance of it.

God is using all things for good to those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). All things? Even drama? Even broken relationships? Even, as this article is about to transition into, abortion? All things. Not all things are good, but all things are used for good for the saint. Drama allows us to know each other better, to break our undue trust in mankind, and place it in God. Drama builds character and, thankfully, crushes pride.

Abortion is being used for good, because it is a constant reminder to the saint that the world is evil, and that life is precious, and that sin is abhorrent but the Saviour from sin is magnificent. This year I am thankful for people who love life, who love people, and who love Jesus. I am thankful that they will be ministers of reconciliation tonight to thousands who are crushed under the burden of materialism and the American Dream. I am thankful that God has called so many out of the darkness of hatred and indifference, quickening them in the love of Christ, and that he is using them to reconcile sinners to himself.

I pray that this Thanksgiving you will awake from slumber to hate sin and love life, to abhor the evil but hold fast to the good. 3300 babies lost their lives yesterday, those babies are held safe in the arms of God, for God saves little ones out of pagan places, "Blessed shall he be, [O Babylon], who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!" (Psalm 137:9) But, 3300 mommies and 3300 daddies, 6600 sinners from one sin yesterday, remain dead in their sins and trespasses, the wrath of God abides on them for their sin.

It is estimated that 1 in 4 women have had an abortion in this country, that's 1 out of every 8 people you meet. Abortion is not a victimless crime, it murders the baby and wounds the mother, it robs a nation of citizens, and it blasphemes the name of the one who gives life. But even while we were a nation of murders and accomplices, while sin was utterly our fault, and the wages of sin were ready to be paid out, Jesus Christ in his great love gave himself to save us from this present evil age; while we had an surplus of death, he gave life, and an overabundance of it. In his resurrection he has secured a place in Heaven for everyone who trusts in him, whose faith becomes like a little child.

So, beloved, this thanksgiving, give thanks to the one who gave the free gift of life, then take his saving message out into a dying world who refuse to give thanks for even the breath they steal from their Despot. Show them their danger, show them the anger they have kindled in the Lifegiver, and then show them the cross where love and mercy met, where sin was atoned for and death was crushed by death.

Those who hate God love death; it doesn't take much looking to find people to prove that fact, so take the message of love of life and righteousness to them. One method to do this is by first letting them condemn the actions of Nazi Germany, then showing them they are as guilty as those soldiers, for failing to stand up for the helpless and oppressed. Living Waters has a great movie describing this method, and I hope you'll take time this long weekend to watch it, and send it into the world, for the message of love, hope, and life that it contains is sure to change hearts and minds, and save lives both in this world and the world to come.


Visit their website, and the Pro-Life section of their website

Pro Choice - Abortion in America

This is the second of three articles on abortion in America.
Click for Article 1 and Article 3

In the 8th century a missionary named Wynfred Boniface breached the darkness of Germany and converted a nation to Christianity. His adventures and exploits, recorded by his biographer, are quite entertaining and edifying.

In one story a young boy runs to Boniface and implores him for help, “Boniface! Boniface! They are going to sacrifice my sister!” Boniface and the boy make haste to the place of sacrifice just in time for Boniface to stop the sacrifice of the fifteen year old vestal virgin by shoving the pagan priest into the nearest tree.

Now, I’m all about choice, I think you should have the choice to be a missionary to America or Germany, you have a choice this Thanksgiving of turkey or ham, the choice is yours to eat apple or pumpkin pie, you have the choice to imbibe in alcoholic beverages or not. But I will not advocate choice in all situations, you DO NOT have the legal choice to drink and drive this Thanksgiving. If you do, I hope you get caught and it costs you $20K in legal fees and cab fare over several years.

Because, like Boniface, I am against your choice to put someone in harm’s way because of what you want to do. It’s illegal to drink and drive, but not all dangerous choices are against mans' law. In this country, it is legal to kill someone before they are 9 months old; in pagan Saxony, where Boniface ministered, it was legal to kill someone in their teens if they were specifically prepared for the purpose; I hope you at least cringe at the thought of a girl having her youth cut short because of some pagan tradition. But in Saxon law it was perfectly legal, which is why we should always defer to the higher and more perfect law of God, which is what Boniface did.

I pray you cringe when you think about babies during gestation cut short because of some pagan tradition. God’s law says so clearly, “Thou shalt NOT murder.” When I think of Boniface’s action, I applaud, thankful that he moved quickly and saved a life; and I pray that if I were in a similar situation I would do likewise. But, beloved, Boniface stopped one immoral killing, today in America over 3300 will be immorally ended. We cannot, and even should not (Romans 12:19), shove every pagan priest of convenience into a tree.

So how do we act? After Boniface helped the girl from the altar, he stood atop it and proclaimed Christ to the crowd; he implored them to flee from idols, to recognize that a sacrifice has been made once for all that saves from death, that Jesus Christ is the righteous given for the unrighteous. When that town was converted, not a single other sacrifice needed to be stopped, because a converted person will not offer their children on the altar of any god, but will love and cherish them (Psalm 127).

We must act by ensuring we preach Christ, that we strive to turn a child-sacrificing nation from idols to the Living God. One way (among many) that you can do this is by watching the 180 Movie and sharing it with everyone you know. Take the world's idols, not their priests, and crush those idols with the truth, and implore them to love the one who gave his life as a ransom for every manner of sin, even the sin of murdering a child. Beloved, be bold, don't worry about what the crowd thinks, think of the little girl on the altar, and act in her behalf while she doesn't have a choice.

Visit their website and the Pro-Choice section of their website

Let us stand fast in what is right and prepare our souls for trial. Let us neither be dogs that do not bark nor silent onlookers, nor paid servants who run away before the wolf. Instead, where the battle rages, let us find ourselves. Run towards the roar of the lion! Run towards the roar of battle! That is where Christ’s most glorious victories shall be won.

– Boniface, Missionary to the Germanic tribes AD672-754