Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: May 13, 2007
THE KEYS TO WINNING THE PRO-LIFE BATTLE -- # 2
Ben Justice
[NOTE: A couple of weeks ago, we considered that if we are going to win
the pro-life battle, then it must begin in understanding the dignity and
sanctity of human life. If this fundamental, foundational truth is not
understood and realized, then respect for human life will always be
lacking. This lack of respect for human life is manifested in so many
ways in our society. Abortion is just a symptom of a greater problem
and that problem is that people either don’t understand that all human
life is sacred, created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26-27)
and therefore possesses intrinsic worth or many simply could care less
what the Bible teaches. For the Christian, though, he must not only
uphold the sanctity of human life, but he must uphold what the Bible
teaches before the world. As we closed the first part of the last article
on this issue, we set forth the fact that Christians must be the salt of
the earth and the light of the world. It is with this point that we want
to expand upon, as well as consider some additional important things.]
If Christians don’t fight the pro-life battle, then who will? Only God-fearing
people will champion the cause of life as precious and sacred. What is more
precious than the life of an unborn child?! Too many Christians are timid and
reserved when it comes to discussing the abortion issue. Many perceive such
as a political issue, but brethren, this issue is light years away from any
political issue. IT IS A MORAL ISSUE ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORD!
Granted, the abortion issue has been heavily wrapped in politics. But, such
should never deter the Christian from speaking out against the murder of the
most innocent among us as forcefully and passionately as possible. There are
many ways in which this can be accomplished:
1.) First and foremost, we must educate ourselves concerning what the Bible
teaches about the worth and dignity of all human life. To be fore-warned is to
be fore-armed in fighting the pro-life battle. Too many Christians have simply
remained ignorant concerning the issues. This ignorance has resulted in
silence, for one can’t teach what one doesn’t know. This is truly one of the
most important issues of our time and will always be as long as time stands.
Practically everything hinges upon how we view human life. Once disregard for
human life begins, then one is on a slippery slope to all kinds of degradation
and problems. This is as serious a matter as possibly could be. Would to God
that people would realize it, even Christians!
2.) We simply must not be afraid to speak out against the most innocent,
precious and pure among us — the unborn. When it comes to this issue, we
must not remain silent or reserved in discussing it. Those on the opposite
side of the fence are certainly not bashful. They have blood dripping off their
lips and hands, and they stand tall and proud for what they promote. Granted,
it is truly incredible how people could so passionately promote a cause that is
anti-life, especially anti-unborn life. This just goes to show you what happens
when people leave God out of the picture. Anything goes. We must be more
vocal than they. We must stand taller than they. The truth is on our side,
and the truth will always win if we know how to handle it.
3.) We live in the greatest country in the world. One great thing about our
country is that the government is the people, meaning that we have the power
to change the direction of our government through the electoral process.
Since the abortion issue is heavily wrapped in the political world, we must
strive to promote and endorse those politicians who are pro-life. In Titus 3:1,
the inspired Apostle Paul stated, “Put them in mind to be subject to
principalities and powers, and to obey magistrates, to be ready to every
good work.” “To be ready to every good work” is clearly against the backdrop
of government. In other words, Christians should be ready to do good within
civil government. As one writer correctly noted, “. . . to be ready to every good
work, is not to be understood as a general exhortation to Christian service
(although such would be true — BJ), but belongs rather in the context of good
citizenship” (J. Glenn Gould, “Beacon Bible Commentary — Titus,” Pg.
686). The term “ready” is from a Greek word meaning “prepared.” “Good”
must be defined according to God’s word, not according to the standard of the
world. The Bible declares in Pro. 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin
is a reproach to any people.” Since it is the case that righteousness exalts a
nation, and since it is the case that we have the power to vote for those who
would promote and uphold righteous principles, then the conclusion is clearly
this: Christians have the duty and responsibility to vote for those who would
promote and uphold righteousness. This is being prepared and ready to every
good (not evil) work.
Lastly, preachers and teachers must preach on the abortion issue, and not
just abortion specifically, but the sanctity of life as created in the image and
likeness of God. This is simply declaring the whole counsel of God. Paul
declared, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
reprove (lit. expose) them” (Eph. 5:11). Preachers and teachers (and even all of
us) have the God-given charge to expose the unfruitful works of darkness.
What could be more dark that the murder of the unborn?! The use of the
plural pronoun “them” indicates that not only the unfruitful works of darkness
be exposed but also those who promote the unfruitful works of darkness,
which means specifically identifying those godless pagans who have no respect
for human life. This exposure must not only come orally by means of the
pulpit but also by means of the classrooms and the printed page.
These are simple keys to winning the pro-life battle. It is indeed a battle; it is
battle for the most precious and innocent among us. But you know, it is sad
that such a battle even has to be waged. It is sad that so many don’t respect
human life, but instead treats human life like animal life that can be
discarded and counted for nothing. It is a tragedy of untold proportions that
America has stooped to the point of making abortion the law of the land. We
look forward to the day when such will be overturned. May we never tire; may
we never grow weary in fighting this cause! May God help us as we wage this
war!