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Biblical Reasons for the Pro-Life Position
by Samuel E. Ward
Introduction
In this last eleven days we have listened to daily reports of climbing fatality numbers due to the earthquakes in Haiti. There have been stories of heroism in the efforts to rescue and recover the hundreds of thousands of victims. We seem to be most affected emotionally when we see the children who are suffering. We experience the greatest joy when we see them survive after days of being trapped in rubble. The response to the tragedy by the world community has been immense and is growing. From all indications it would appear that humanity values its young more than anything on earth.
And yet the Alan Gutmacher Institute, who track abortion statistics, indicates that for some the life of the child might be secondary to other issues in life.
On average, women give at least 3 reasons for choosing abortion: ¾ say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or other responsibilities; about ¾ say they cannot afford a child; and ½ say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner (AGI).[1]
The Center for Disease Control indicates that the pregnancies which end in abortion are due in 80% of the cases to sexual intimacy outside of marriage. Forty percent of minors having an abortion report that neither of their parents knew about the abortion (AGI).
When it comes to the life of a child, in over twenty percent of all pregnancies, when the plans of eighty percent of those parents are threatened, the life of the child is forfeited. The arguments of not being able to provide for the child or the child would be unwanted does not convince a God who has promised to provide for His own or the fact that there is no such thing as an unwanted child in His eyes. There are only parents who do not want certain children
Consider these five biblical reasons for hold to a pro-life position:
I. Men and Women Are Made in the Image and Likeness of God.
A. Humans were uniquely created in the image of God
(Gen 1:26-27 NIV) Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." {27} So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
B. Humans were uniquely ordained to be stewards over the rest of created life, giving them higher status among other living beings.
(Gen 1:28-29 NIV) God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." {29} Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
C. Humans were uniquely commanded to judge by death anyone who would unjustly and with premeditation cause the death of another human. The Hebrew word "ratsach" is the technical legal word used for "murder" and "manslaughter." There are several other Hebrew words that are used to denote the simple act of killing something or someone whether justified or otherwise.
(Exo 20:13 NIV) "You shall not murder.
(Gen 9:6 NIV) "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.
Why? Remember, God has made man in His image. Abortion is the calculated taking of a life created in God's image.
II. God Almighty Is the Creator and Sustainer of Life.
(Neh 9:6 NIV) You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
(Job 12:10 NIV) In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
A. Humans Uniquely Possess the Divine Breath of God
(Gen 2:7 NIV) the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
B. Humans Are Uniquely Held Accountable for the Lives They Live Because It Is His Gift to Us.
1. God holds us accountable for every careless word we have spoken.
(Mat 12:36-37 NIV) But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. {37} For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
2. God holds us accountable for the life we were given to live.
(Rom 14:11-12 NIV) It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" {12} So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
3. God will uncover every secret we have and hold us accountable for it.
(Heb 4:13 NIV) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
III. The Alternative to Pro-Life Is Not Choice, but Death.
(Deu 30:19-20 NIV) This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live {20} and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
A. God desires children to live and considers a reward for the faithfulness of a nation that chooses life.
B. God encourages humans to "Choose life!"
C. The Pro-Choice Position Exists Only for the Purpose of Making Death an Option.
D. Death Is the Greatest Human Enemy and the Last Enemy to Be Destroyed.
(1 Cor 15:24-26 NIV) The end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. {25} For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. {26} The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
IV. There Is Abundant Evidence in the Bible that God Looks upon Unborn Children in the Womb as Human Persons with Potential .
(Isa 49:1 NIV) Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name.
(Jer 1:4-5 NIV) The word of the LORD came to me, saying, {5} "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
(Psa 139:15-16 NIV) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, {16} your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Many of you probably prayed for your children, while they were still in the womb, concerning their future and maybe that they would give their lives in service to God. From passages such as these we have reviewed we learn that to abort a child is to steal a life from God which He intended to use.
V. Children Are a God-given Blessing, a Source of Happiness, a Reward and a Heritage from God.
(Psa 127:3-5a NIV) Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. {4} Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. {5a} Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
A. This is why you still pray and support them even after they have grown up.
B. This is why many of you would testify that the hard work, occasional hard times, and weariness were worth it. Certainly. The blessings of children far outweighed any short-term difficulties or inconveniences.
Indeed, "The fruit of the womb is [God's] reward" (Psalm 127:3, KJV).
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Summary
I. Men and Women Are Made in the Image and Likeness of God.
II. God Almighty Is the Creator and Sustainer of Life.
III. The Alternative to Pro-Life Is Not Choice, but Death.
IV. There Is Abundant Evidence in the Bible that God Looks upon Unborn Children in the Womb as Human Persons with Potential .
V. Children Are a God-given Blessing, a Source of Happiness, a Reward and a Heritage from God.
