Posted by A B Locke
You would think that after so many years of arguing, fighting, and protesting over abortion “rights,” we would have resolved the conflict by now. But here we are, still at odds.
Here is how I see it, just looking at the root of the word abortion: “abort.” It means to end something intentionally. What is “the something” that is being ended or terminated? Isn’t it a human life? It must be a life in some form, something engaged in the natural process of developing. After all, it makes no sense to abort something that has no life in it.
By default, abortion appears to be deliberately putting an end to something — or someone — and we typically call intentionally aborting someone’s life “premeditated murder.” Let’s not be afraid to call it what it is. Exposing or expressing this reality should not be misconstrued as judging anyone. That is definitely not my intention. We are simply clarifying the term abortion.
Here are some synonyms that also support the meaning to abort: to halt, stop, end, ax, call off, cut short, discontinue, terminate, arrest, cancel, scrub; to pull the plug on. Regardless of what we call it, this does not sound in the best interest of a “living” unborn fetus.
If we feel we must abort in the future, it is much wiser to do it prior to the sexual behavior that contributes to the unwanted pregnancies. That is when abortion would be perfectly legal and morally correct, before engaging in premarital sex, before penetration, before the conception of a “living” fetus.
What exactly is a fetus?
I believe a fetus is a developing life-form inside of a mother’s womb, and if someone does not abort it, this precious life form will continue progressing through the various stages of life, beginning inside the womb, and then outside in the world. I believe life begins at the moment of conception—when that sperm and egg say hello.
The Oxford American Dictionary defines a fetus as an unborn offspring of a mammal, in particular, an unborn human baby more than eight weeks after conception.
I find it remarkable that the God of creation, has established specific plans for our lives, even before we were born.
“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.” Jer. 1:5
I am not going to spend any more time going over the medical aspects of birth and abortion. I neither have the expertise nor the word space to continue in this post.
The main intention of this post is to encourage forgiveness and total liberation through God’s truth, for anyone and everyone that has been affected by abortion. The greater challenge moving forward, as with all of our traumatic experiences in life, is to completely trust God, in spite of any negative thoughts and feelings, and/or what others say. God’s promises in scripture are not given to us in vain. We must believe and then apply them. Take God at His word.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Prov. 3:5-8
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Rom. 8:28
Can the God who spoke the world into existence, orchestrate a good ending out of our disobedience and moments of poor judgment? You bet He can—simply because He is God. Because of God’s ultimate power and wisdom, there is always hope.
I believe even our precious aborted babies will be completely healthy, rejoicing in the presence of the Lord. If they are by some chance reunited with their biological parents, there will be no trace of resentment or guilt—just joy and peace in the presence of the Lord.
I am reminded of a familiar Bible story involving King David and Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. David, in a heated moment of sexual passion, slept with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba, while he was off at war. Bathsheba became pregnant. In a desperate attempt to conceal his adulterous act, David did not ask Bathsheba to have an abortion. Instead, he ordered that Uriah to be sent to the front line of the war, knowing that he would be killed. In other words, David aborted Uriah in an attempt to cover his sin. As a result of David’s evil deeds, God took the life of the young boy, in spite of David’s prayers.
David took full responsibility for his sinful conduct and accepted God’s ruling on the matter. Pay particular attention to how David dealt with the death of his beloved son—his immediate resolve when the child went home to be with the Lord. Hopefully, David’s example in trusting God and properly dealing with death will inspire others.
For your convenience, I included the bible passage below. 2 Samuel 12:9-23
“Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.”
David reaps what he sowed
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”
David acknowledges his crime of passion
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.”
The consequence of sin
After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.
David quickly accepts God’s ultimate ruling on the matter
On the seventh day the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”
This is such a powerful example. For as bad as David’s adulterous affair and assignation of the woman’s husband was, he still trusted God. Lord help us accept death with this wisdom and strength.
David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.
When we trust God, it looks very strange to others
His servants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
For as cruel as abortion is, I believe that babies that are aborted are in the hand of God.
Loving you more.