Thirty-eight Years Ago Tomorrow . . .

On January 22, 1973 the Supreme Court legalized abortion in its landmark case we all have come to know as Roe v. Wade. Since that fateful day, according to statistics posted on the National Right to Life's website, 49,551,703 abortions have been performed. My friends, that is 49,551,703 too many! Now why do I say this? A large segment of people in our society would passionately disagree with me. They believe that abortion is a woman's right. She can do what she wants. After all it is HER body.

I oppose abortion because of my convictions concerning the sanctity of life. These convictions are summarized well by one of the continuing resolutions of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches of which my church is a member. The statement reads as follows:

Human life is worthy of respect and protection at all stages from the time of conception. The sanctity of human life is established by creation (Gen. 1:26-27), social protection (Gen. 9:6) and redemption (John 3:16).

I believe that every time an abortion occurs, a human life is ended. So we are not merely talking about removing a fetus. In reality, abortion ends the life of an unborn CHILD.

For those of us who speak for the voiceless unborn, we have reason to be cautiously optimistic. Consider:

1. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge in April 2007 to the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, allowing the law to go into effect for the first time since it was signed by President Bush in 2003. Some abortion-rights supporters fear the landmark ruling is the first step toward overturning the 1973 law legalizing abortion. This law is still on the books. Yes it is a small step ... but a step none-the-less in the right direction!

2. According to statistics released by both the Center for Disease Control and the Guttmacher Institute, the number of abortions in the United States have fallen to levels not seen since the late 1970's. However, there is still, on average, 100,000 babies aborted every month in this country. This is tragic!

Now I am not expecting Roe v. Wade to be overturned tomorrow. But each step we can take (even if they are baby steps) is a step that just may save lives. Please join with me in praying for the lives of the unborn. Pray for pro-life ministries that are on the front lines of this battle for life. And add feet to your prayers by volunteering your time and/or your money to help support the pro-life ministry of your choice. If you are part of our family here at Grace Church, stop by our Hospitality Center and pick up a baby bottle to help support the ministry of Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Services.

Let's not grow weary in this battle. It is a matter of life and death!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj
 

P.S. I believe I must add a postscript to address anyone reading this that has chosen to undergo an abortion. Abortion is not the unpardonable sin. God's grace is amazing and will "wash over" anyone who comes to Jesus with a truly repentant heart. This is true for any sin, whether it be gossip, adultery, lust, dishonesty, pride, abortion, etc. Thanks be to God for the forgiveness that he offers to us in Christ! Free to us - but at a great cost to Him!