The Sanctity of Life: My Perspective on Abortion

In our culture today, abortion has become primarily a political issue. We talk about it during protests, news cycles, and heated debates. But for Christians, this issue goes beyond politics—it's theological. It centers on fundamental questions: Who is the author of life? Who decides its value?

When we remain silent on important theological matters, we create a void that error rushes to fill. Our failure to clearly articulate truth leaves room for misunderstanding and false teaching.

What Does Scripture Say About Life in the Womb?

The Bible speaks clearly about God's involvement in human life from its earliest stages:

In Psalm 139:13-16, David praises God saying, "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 eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Jeremiah 1:5 reveals God's purpose for Jeremiah began before birth: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you."

In Luke 1:41-44, when pregnant Mary visited Elizabeth, John leaped in Elizabeth's womb at the presence of Jesus. The Greek word used for "baby" in the womb is the same word used for newborns, showing no distinction in value.

How Has the Church Historically Viewed Abortion?

The early church took a clear stance against abortion. The Didache, an early Christian teaching document, explicitly stated: "You shall not murder a child by abortion, nor kill what is begotten."

This position was countercultural in Greco-Roman society, which normalized abortion and infant exposure (abandoning unwanted babies). From the beginning, Christians and Jews disagreed with killing children and the unborn.

Throughout church history—from the Reformation through Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Wesley—Christian leaders have consistently condemned abortion and upheld the sanctity of life. Today, while some denominations have drifted from this position, most churches remain united in supporting life.

What About Difficult Cases?

When discussing abortion, conversations often gravitate toward extreme cases—rape, incest, or threats to the mother's health. These situations are genuinely heartbreaking and should never be dismissed casually.

However, statistics reveal these hard cases represent a small percentage of abortions performed:

In 2020, there were approximately 930,000 abortions in the US

Less than 1% were due to rape

Less than 0.5% were due to incest

2-3% involved the mother's health

Combined, these hard cases represent 3-5% of all abortions

This means roughly 880,000-900,000 abortions annually occur for other reasons—primarily financial concerns, relationship issues, or personal timing preferences.

While extreme cases give us pause, they don't represent the vast majority of abortion decisions. Even in difficult situations, Scripture teaches that the child still bears God's image.

How Should Christians Respond to Abortion?

If you've experienced abortion personally, know that God's grace is deeper than any pain. There is forgiveness and restoration in Christ, who fully redeems and heals.

For those who have remained passive on this issue, God calls us to action—to defend life, support women, and embody compassion. As a church, we should:

- Stand unapologetically for life

- Show compassion to women and families

- Recognize that situations aren't always black and white

- Walk with people through difficult circumstances

- Provide resources and real help

- Show people better options

- Speak truth with grace and love, even when unpopular

What Does "Womb to Tomb" Care Mean?

Christians must move beyond simply telling people what not to do. If we ask people to choose life, we must be ready to support them throughout that life.

"Womb to tomb" care means recognizing that all life is sacred—not just in the womb but at every stage. This is why we support:

- Ministries like Hope Clinic that offer mothers alternatives to abortion

- Homes of Hope for Children and similar foster care systems

- Adoption and foster care initiatives

- Families who welcome vulnerable children

Our calling isn't just to say "don't abort." Our calling is to walk alongside people, love them, and honor the image of God in them from conception through natural death.

Life Application

This week, consider how you can move beyond political arguments to practical action in supporting the sanctity of life:

- Examine your heart: Have you been passive on this issue? Have you shown grace to those who have experienced abortion? Ask God to give you His perspective on the value of every human life.

- Support life-affirming organizations: Research local pregnancy resource centers, foster care agencies, or adoption services that need volunteers or donations.

- Offer practical help: Is there a parent, foster family, or expectant mother in your community who needs support? Consider providing meals, childcare, transportation, or other tangible assistance.

- Speak truth with grace: How can you engage in conversations about abortion in ways that honor both truth and the people involved? Practice articulating a compassionate, life-affirming perspective.

- Ask yourself: Am I willing to support life not just with my words but with my actions? What specific step can I take this week to demonstrate "womb to tomb" care for someone in my community?

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