THE BIG EVENT

                                              THE BIG EVENT

    The city teemed with people, vendors were set up along the streets, and there was an air of excitement. If events followed the big build up of officials, this would be a day no one would  want to miss. That this main attraction would be on a religious holiday ensured the attendance of the general public as well as the religious community. This would be a day either of great joy or bitter disappointment, and not necessarily for the same reason.

    Things were building up to this occasion for several days, as there were sharply divided opinions about forecasts of activities. As always, promoters and politicians joined church leaders in seeking a financial windfall from the event. It was a perfect situation for commercial profit, because people had already come to the city for the scheduled holiday. Now they would be staying at least an extra day. There had been a mad rush to prepare a cheap symbol to sell to the crowd.

    As twilight approached, the rumble of horses and wagons dominated the atmosphere. Dust swirled as the excited animals picked up the suspensive anxiety of the people. Musicians had gathered, preparing for the big event. Money changers were busily plying their wares. This scene would be repeated hundreds of times in the years to come. Some of the odds being given were out of sight. 

    Aaron and his friend Leon were caught up in the excitement, and held opposite opinions about the special day's outcome. Aaron believed there would be a large procession led by special outriders to reach the point where the parade would separate from the city. Leon said he thought the honorable parade marshal was not what he claimed to be. Helen, Aaron's wife, disagreed with both of the men, firmly stating both had the usual problem of thinking they knew more because they were men.

    The expected parade would move from the center of town to the main exhibition site and then on the main highway out of town. The spectacular fireworks would be seen for miles. As dawn approached, people lined the parade route. The usual quiet of the early dawning day was broken by the vendors. They were selling little artifacts to commemorate the big day. The already volatile atmosphere was further heightened by arguments by several of the dignitaries' as the parade began to move.

    Two religious leaders almost came to blows, while a civil servant
laughed at both. According to the program, the person of honor would join the parade at the main exhibition point and would take charge of the activities. A large contingent of sturdy men drove the wagons, 
accompanied by well drilled marchers including a contingent of the 
Army's finest and bands representing the religious and civil groups.
Women and children had a difficult time trying to watch the parade
because, as usual, men pressed to the front, making it difficult to
see what was passing by on the road.

    As the parade neared the main assembly point, there were loud 
outcries and shouts from the front of the parade. People in that area were pushing and shoving. The contingent of Army marchers broke ranks and rushed to try and restore order. Some of the horses became frightened by the shouting and rough actions, causing drivers to strain and try to hold them back. Some teams broke out of control and crashed into the wagons in front of them, while others ran into chariots traveling on both sides of the procession. Now the crowd joined in the melee, and there was a full scale riot. Weapons were drawn, and carnage resulted. The parade was over without the appearance of the grand marshal and with damaged and empty wagons.

    A couple of days later, Aaron, Leon and Helen were with friends in a large inn, trying to understand what had and hadn't happened. Aaron said he couldn't understand why the grand marshal hadn't appeared. Maybe he had already taken the treasure and departed, he suggested. How he could do this was doubtful because there was the problem of the treasure being locked up, and it would be so extensive in size and weight.

    Leon laughed at Aaron's explanation. "I told you it was all a hoax by merchants to make a lot of money," he said. The whole idea that the grand marshal would walk out of that rock-solid safe and carry off treasure to parts unknown was fool's folly," he continued, still laughing contemptuously. Opinions were divided among the other men. Most were still grumbling about money lost in the pre-parade betting. Leon continued, "How could so many grown men believe the propaganda of that politician?"

    At that moment, Helen rose from her seat, and startled the crowd of mostly men. "I'm ashamed of you men," she exclaimed, "For you heard and saw what the Master did. Your carnal soul clouded your minds, and you have been filled with doubt. I saw the Master as I left home to come here today, but you won't believe me. You say it's not physically possible, but you ignore His spiritual presence. You never understood His teaching. You're all frauds."

    Then, setting the stage for one of the men who would preach a 
powerful sermon a few days later, Helen told the men spiritual truth they failed to grasp from His teaching. "You told Him you would bear the cup He had to bear. You failed the first test, according to His very words," she charged. You can read His words in Matt. 20:22. "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" The men were taken aback, because women were not accepted to preach. This was not in church (synagogue), so the "be quiet" rule didn't apply.

    Helen now had a full head of steam because she could see the men were troubled by their actions of the past few days. She continued, again referring to the Master's teaching. You can read His words in Matt. 6:19-21. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures  on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in  in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where  neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

    She charged them with having more doubt than belief, just as Thomas said he had to see to believe. She held up two little symbols as she spoke. "See this outline of a fish?" she asked. He said He'd make you fishers of men to bring them His teaching and eternal life. She then held a roughly hewn cross in her hand, and cried as she said, "This symbol is forever etched in my mind as I remember the worst act ever committed by man. Where were you men?"

     As she cried, heartbroken, the Lord Jesus Christ suddenly appeared
among them. Mark 16:12 tells us what He said to those gathered there.
"He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had arisen ." They had not believed the resurrection. If you don't believe it either, you have no excuse, because the Word of God is readily available across the United States. I'm saddened because people who profess Jesus Christ come to our ministry for prayer when they have needs or wants, but they refuse to spend 10 or 15 minutes in reading appropriate scripture. Christ gives us eternal life...that's a never ending period of time. Yet a few minutes of your life--even one time-- is more than you're willing to give Him. He is so wonderful and man is so depraved. It's an honor and privilege to serve Him, and the sham Christians are destroying His faith.

Rev. Walbear

    

MEMORY DAY

                                                  MEMORY DAY

    No, I didn't mistakenly write Memory instead of Memorial when I referred to the special day set aside to honor the formerly named Decoration Day. Having observed many years when this holiday was Decoration Day, I have experienced a vast difference in the feelings associated with the two names. Both names refer to memories of the past, but they are two different pasts. Perhaps this is because I'm older and have experienced a "longer" past than most Americans. 

    Although many Americans observe the holiday as a time to relax, have family get togethers and enjoy recreational activities, others do reflect on the family heritage, sacrifice of total strangers, and the role of God in our lives. World War II probably had the most effect on changing the attitude of many people. With World War I, there weren't that many people involved, and the majority of those observing the day were remembering departed family members rather than military people. 

    Decoration Day was remembered not only for past relatives, but also for the beauty of nature that was protected and enhanced by the efforts of Americans to indeed make "America the Beautiful." If you can recall the words of that song, think a bit about how our nation has changed since the "big" war. If you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, you have to be sad to realize what has been  allowed to happen in this nation. If I can write clearly enough in this message, you may understand how the feeling of this special day has changed. Beauty of nature and the warm memories of departed loved ones transformed a potential sad day into one of
brightness and hope. For Christians who actually follow Christ's teaching in the four gospels, it's a different feeling.

    You might be amazed to know that many professing Christians don't know the names or contents of the four gospels. Many of these same people also don't know the provisions of the United States Constitution. You'd never know that from listening to the empty heads who clutter our television, radio and news media. Unfortunately the Christian church (the church is not a building, but the believers are the church) has been mostly content to allow this perspective to flourish. That is because they choose to ignore Christ's warning explained by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy.

    I'm perhaps more drawn to these instructions because they were given me upon my initial ordination as a Christian minister. Memorial Day has become a day of sadness rather than the bright image of America the Beautiful because there is a sense of loss associated with perceived needless death and suffering. This may not be true for many Americans today, but the number of those falling into that category is rising every day. This is not a political statement, but a wake up call for  Christians to actually study the four gospels and your obligation in accepting Christ as your Savior.

    Don't fall for the contentious Conservative or Liberal hogwash of political and church leaders. And, yes, church leaders are  permitting terrible anti-Christian teaching because they don't want to rock the boat of job security. Religious leaders have been leading people astray since God granted Israel their wish to have a human king. Look at the difficulty Christ faced. Religious leaders were not satisfied until Christ was killed. Rome didn't kill him. The Roman judge wanted to free him, but the church leaders wouldn't have it. There are good ministers and pastors today, but the ones who are unknowingly helping Satan's workers are actually killing the Christian movement. 

    I base these messages on scripture, so let's go to 1 Tim., chapter 6. This starts out telling bond servants to work diligently for all  masters, especially believing masters. This does not condone slavery, as you may think. A bond servant is a person who owes a debt to someone. This principle exists today in several forms. At one time we had Amish neighbors, and some of them farmed out young boys for the summer to neighboring farms. The parents received any payment for the boy's work if there indeed was a payment. If you are locked in with a contract, you are a bond servant to the holder of that contract. It's quite simple for an authoritarian government to make a bond servant a slave. The men who wrote and passed our Declaration of Independence and Constitution didn't have the  intestinal fortitude (guts) to enforce emancipation until over 75
years and a civil war brought it about. These were brave men, but they also didn't give women the vote, and neither did the following generation.

    We'll go on to Timothy's instruction, but first you should understand
that men do not give up unjust entitlements because Christ said to do it. As always, money vies with the symbols of the cross and the fish. I'm going to begin the study of Timothy chapter 6 with the 10th verse, because that one thing has brought the United States to the breaking point. "For the love of money is a route of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith  in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. When a Christian says he/she doesn't want to share his/her hard-earned money with anyone, that statement completely violates everything Christ taught. That statement proves the person won't follow anything Christ says, and, in fact, challenges personal salvation.

    You see (maybe) the sharing first mentioned in Acts 2:44-45 is being construed to mean total socialism, not Christianity. Christ did not say the words of Acts 2. These verses were written by the Apostle Luke, and were an explanation of sharing by a group with a mission to establish the church. Everybody threw money or material in the pot to finance and sustain the start up. The very people who are misleading church people in the misunderstanding of these verses are the apostate preachers and wealthy businessmen. Try and find any teaching of Christ who taught pure socialism. He taught the words placed in the Declaration of Independence and the  Preamble to our Constitution. 

    To digress just a mite, you may also misunderstand 1 Tim. 2:11 -15 where the Apostle Paul forbids women from teaching or holding
positions of authority in the church. You need to study a little cultural history of that region to understand why Paul put the brakes on women. He used Adam and Eve because it was  convenient and much easier than giving the full explanation which would make the new religion more difficult to teach. You now have two reasons to delete me. Or, you could enlighten yourself by some serious study. Note carefully, that these words
from Apostles are indeed scripture, but brief in the effort to make them more palatable. The hearers were totally unaware of any of Christ's actual teaching. You don't get this free pass.

    Who do you love more, God or you? Do you tithe or give special money offerings purely for God, or for what you assume is God's work or, perhaps hoping to be materially rewarded for your  generosity? If your material gifts are really for God, you will accompany them with serious study of scripture. Just the knowledge of Christ's teaching in the Book of Matthew will give you His rules to live by. They are God's rules, and not man's
rules. Why do so many of you refuse to study God's Word? Is it because you want to do things your way, and you think throwing a tithe to the
church will permit you to skip certain directions from our Savior? 

    This message is about much more than money. It is about your careless manner of accepting almost everything except truth from the people with the loudest voice and the most money. You see how truth and money have a problem living together. When God sees more than He permits, He takes action. I'm giving you an interesting assignment; read 1 Sam. 25:1-38. Here was Nabal, a rich landowner, who refused to provide provisions to David and his men. David's men protected Nabal's flock of sheep. God struck Nabal dead. And, he couldn't take anything with him. Greed is an
ugly destroyer, even of poor people. Think about the wealthy politicians and megachurch leaders that want your support. It's pretty doubtful you'll see them in heaven.

    Timothy 6:3-5 explains what I've written. "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself."

    Continue in 1 Tim. 6:9 to understand what's happening to our nation. "But those who desire to be rich fall  into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition ."  Our leaders in government and the church are mostly rich. They all suffer from the syndrome a former employer told me: "There's never enough." He was a banker, and he lived by that principle.

    Many professing Christians are emotionally following a few Godly rules as explained by the above named leaders. Not one of these people can show me verses of scripture in the Catholic or Protestant bibles that Jesus Christ even mentioned these subjects, let alone gave specific directions. They sometimes quote verses from other writers such as Solomon, but there is no instruction from Christ on these subjects. The defining problem with all these sinful claims is the FACT they don't know what SIN is. You read that correctly. All sin is evil and wrong, but Christ,
Himself, gave a clear definition of ALL SINS. You will find Christ's very words in Matt. 12:31-32. The ONLY unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit--denying the power of God. Not one other sin is unforgivable and leads to the damnation of Hell because Christ's shed blood covers all others. If a sinner doesn't repent or try to conquer a sin and repeats it over and over, he/she probably doesn't have the Holy Spirit and may not even be saved.

    What are these sins of damnation preached by those who don't know scripture? I purposely didn't disclose them earlier in the message because I know some (or maybe all) of you will angrily delete the message. Not one of these sins--and I so label them as sins--is unforgivable. They are homosexuality, lesbianism, same sex marriage and certain reasons for abortion. If sin is the reason America is failing, what about false witness (lying), divorce or violation of the other  Commandments. Don't forget, Christ added an Eleventh Commandment. Christ said this commandment was second only to the First Commandment. See Matt. 22:39, "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

    How does that fit with your hard-earned money? Do you think all people who need help are black, able bodied, uneducated,  unhealthy, on drugs, liquor or sexually immoral? Are you one of Christ's associate judges to select reasons for disqualifying people who need help? Is it enjoyable to increase the pain and suffering of people who need help through no fault of their own? Are you one of the pastors who will eliminate welfare by teaching these people how to fish? Oh, yes. That stream is polluted. Let's 
find one developers haven't polluted. Oh, yes. Sorry about your
 confinement to a wheelchair or bed. Oh, yes. I know it's tough to find a job when no one wants to hire an 80 year old skilled person who's slowed down. And, I'm sorry about that single mother who wasn't permitted an abortion after she was raped. After all, she can work at minimum wage and hope to find a babysitter she can afford. And that big tax cut? We'll finance that by slashing health care for the bottom feeders and squeezing
welfare until they understand and worship we, the elite.

    If I write accusingly, you should share the work of a ministry that works with the poor. This is a rural area, and we see laws and restrictions applied to the "bottom feeders" as the elite categorize them. You don't realize the difficult time a man has trying to get a job if he is a good worker, but needs more than normal supervision. There's the young mother whose husband simply took off and doesn't pay court ordered child support. There are some slackers, but the number is small. You hard-earned money people have the same problem as the wealthy. You can be middle class and enjoy greed. If you read this much of the message, you probably really are a Christian.  Congratulations, our numbers are shrinking in America.

Rev. Walbear

CONFUSION

                                                                  CONFUSION

    And the answer to the question is Jesus Christ. What question, you ask? Any question of faith, my friend. Unfortunately, most of the time I get questions they are the result of pastoral teaching. Now and then I'm challenged by a pastor who side steps certain portions of scripture. All answers should come directly from not just the bible, but from the teaching of Christ as recorded in the four gospels. 

    If you're basing your faith on Christianity, you MUST conclude and teach exactly what Christ said. Do you think John was saying 1:1, ( "In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God.") that something other than the bible and the gospels was the basis of the Christian faith? Upon whom but Jesus Christ are you basing your faith? Christianity has become a political football, and not just because of social politics. The very seminaries and preachers have departed from the bible, and especially from Christ's teaching.

    Example number one is an ordained preacher who teaches that Moses didn't write the early books of the Old Testament--the books we call the Pentateuch. There are dozens of "learned" bible scholars who tell us Moses didn't actually write those books. They base their conclusion on the OPINIONS of these scholars. Now, LISTEN UP you doubters of scripture. I will only settle for the TRUTH, which is given in the words of Jesus Christ. Want the real truth who wrote the books attributed to Moses? Where do you find the real truth? How about the words of Christ?

    Look at John 7:22, as Christ is speaking when the Jews were split on the authenticity of Christ. This one verse of scripture--the very words of our Savior--tells us that He accepted Moses as the author of the Pentateuch. "Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath." Christ did not waste words, and this verse makes it  clear that He believed Moses wrote this history. You can base your belief of scripture on Christ's words or the words of scholars who would like to believe they know more than Christ. If you are really a Christian, this is a perfect place for you to accept Christ's word or the word of a scholar. 

    You're still a doubting Thomas, aren't you? I expected that. Now, go to Acts 15:1. "And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.'" You still think somebody other than Moses wrote those books? Congratulations. You don't really have the Christian faith. You believe writers who don't possess the Holy Spirit. Writers of scripture must have the presence of the Holy Spirit or they simply write the words of man, not God. The same is true for the study of scripture. Without the Holy Spirit to guide you, you are just reading. It's apparent most seminary study today is concentrated on the denominational aspect of Christianity. It's "We're better than them because we're enlightened and more intelligent in our approach."

    A pastor of any Christian denomination who does not follow the  teaching of Christ, or who substitutes an "enlightened" version of
scripture is an apostate. Christians are warned about false teachers many times. Like Lucifer, they may appear to be angels of light, and very persuasive. You must understand they unknowingly fell into the snare of Satan and are reprobate. They truly believe they are correct in  their understanding and teaching. If they cannot produce any verification of Christ's words, you know they are reprobate.

    Example number two of a professing Christian who disagrees with a hot button social issue--abortion. Scripture clearly explains in the words of Christ that there is only one unforgiven sin. That sin has nothing to do with adultery, homosexuality, same sex marriage, murder or abortion. All these sins, including probably the worst (false witness-lying), have equal value and require repentance. The only unforgivable sin is given us in Matt. 12:31-32, and it is the denial of the Holy Spirit (power of God). God expects us to use common sense in interpreting His clear messages. Abortion is wrong, except there are circumstances when it isn't wrong. Making a decision to refuse abortion to a woman whose life is threatened is placing the decision maker into a murderer. And this means two deaths. If the  fetus is poisoning the woman and will not survive birth, it is already
beyond man's ability to be God and save the fetus. Now, to proceed to examine this situation.

    You see my explanation in Christ's explanation of unforgiven sin, which is simple and clear. You see my reasoning for supporting abortion for the specific purpose of supporting an existing life, especially if the woman already has a family. Letting her die takes away a wife, and perhaps a mother. The argument forbidding an  abortion for any reason has no scriptural reference. In fact, it was not necessary to enter discussion in scripture. Do you think Christ was so dumb He forgot abortion, or maybe it just began recently? When I requested where the anti abortion scripture was, the answer was "the bible." When I wanted to know where in the bible the verse dealing with abortion was, the answer again was "the bible." This opposition to scripture is obviously only an opinion based on fire-eating emotionalism stirred by people using this method to secure followers.

    America is rife with these people, all of whom have a "me" agenda 
based on half truths and lies. The church is a fertile place to take this
type of spin effort because most professing Christians are too lazy to actually study the bible. They believe they are saved because they said the sinner's prayer and they attend church, watch church  programs on television, tithe money, perhaps teach Sunday School, have a bible study (mostly social) or participate in a charity drive. This is all good, except we go back to the sinner's prayer. It all begins with commitment, and commitment must be with the heart. As it was necessary for Jewish men to be circumcised, it is necessary for a Christian's heart to be circumcised. 

    Sound impossible? Turn to John 3:1-21. Nicodemus went to Christ to learn about the new birth. You can read another account of the new birth in Acts 8:26-40. If you have trouble believing the circumcision of the heart, you probably have trouble believing scripture such as Acts 8:39-40. In fact do you believe in miracles, the virgin birth or the bodily resurrection? A committed Christian believes all of these things because they are of Christ. 

    God is not a God of confusion. Among the many places we are told that God requires order is 1 Cor.14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order." That refers not only to the activities within the church, but also to everyday life. Anyone who attempts to teach the word of Christ had better know the real word, the truth, and nothing but the truth. Apostate teachers and those who stir up emotional sin through false witness (half truths and lying) condemns himself/herself. The scripture has been presented to you. It is up to you to spend the time and effort to learn the truth. 

    Matt. 7:7 instructs us, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."  Matt. 7:15" Beware of  
false prophets (teachers) who come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Little Red Riding Hood had that very experience.

Rev. Walbear

ABORTION

                                                   ABORTION    

    Ah, yes, that dirty word. This message is not for or against the subject of abortion. What the subject entails is the research result of unbiased expert science AND research of scripture as presented to us in the bible, both Protestant and Catholic. This message is not in any way my personal opinion, although people who have already made decisions have wrongfully accused me of condoning sin. That must have been based on my statement in a previous sermon that permitting a woman to die was not scripturally acceptable. Before I continue, you need to know I have never endorsed abortion, and I still don't. But people who don't conduct appropriate biblical  research will unknowingly be committing a double sin if they  continue to refuse to accept the Godly reason that abortion is
justified sometimes.

    It doesn't matter how many degrees in education you have received or your graduation from a denominational seminary. If you don't accept the challenge to seek the full truth and  knowledge of the subject, you are coming up very short as a Christian. John 8:32 tells us "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." You receive the truth only when you conduct the research of both carnal and Christian information. Opinions and emotional factors have no place in your decision. You must follow Christ's teaching, no one else's. If you can't find the word abortion in His teaching, do you think He was ignorant and
didn't know about the subject? Do you think Solomon or some other writer knew more than Christ? Do you think you are qualified to add to scripture? Look at Rev. 22:18,19. We are not to add or take away anything from the bible.

    Christ told us all about killing and murder. But before I do, we  need to know actual facts about the subject of abortion. There are several reasons given for abortions as explained in an unbiased study by the Guttmacher Institute. Alan Guttmacher was a highly respected surgeon and teacher on the subject of reproduction.  The Institute covers not only the subject, but also policy analysis and public educational aspects. There is no opinion, only facts and figures. The latest numbers were published in 2014, with the most recent data (Oct. 2013). Numbers all pertain to induced abortion, except miscarries are included as being induced. This is far from the truth, but abortion foes have considered natural miscarries as abortion. This factor actually inflates the abortion numbers.

    If you're still with me, you must be a real Christian, not a confessor
of faith who just claims to follow Christ. Keep in mind that word  "truth," and pair it with education. The bible doesn't explain what happens to unborn children at any stage of development, but Israel knew God's answer and it can be found in Jewish instructions given after the Ten Commandments. I prove by the very words of Christ in the four gospels the difference between sin and damnation, but those without any verifiable reference still refuse to believe the very  teaching of Christ. More on that later; now to numbers.

    Half the pregnancies in America are unintended, and four of ten result in abortion. Birth control methods suffer a high rate of failure. At least half of all women will experience unintended pregnancy. Perhaps the most shocking statistic is the percentage of Christian women who undergo abortion. This is assuming they are committed to the faith. Protestants incur 36% and Catholics 28%. It is difficult for me to understand these percentages, when you see the total abortions by religious professing women is 64%. 

    Let's pause with the numbers to share a couple of case histories
about abortion. Neither are in America, but they are not in third world
countries such as Africa or Asia. First case is 10 year old girl raped
and pregnant by her stepfather. Catholic religion dominates country and politics. She is expected to carry the baby to delivery. Second case is a mature, married women with husband and no children. Both are/were skilled professionals. Doctors discovered the fetus would not live, and poison from the problem would condemn the woman to death. Abortion was forbidden by the government. These cases both were under Catholic
rules, but could be under Protestant laws in America. The woman in case number two died, as doctors predicted.

    Case 1 is ongoing, so we don't know how it will come out. The  mental anguish as well as physical problems will likely dominate her future. Where is the rapist? The woman always is punished, while the men simply move on. We go to case 3, where we have a family of husband, wife and three children. Wife is pregnant with child, and doctors discover severe problem. If she carries full term, both she and fetus will die. You make the decision. You can have husband, wife and three children alive and fetus aborted. Or you can have husband and three children alive, and wife and fetus dead. Without abortion, you have two humans dead, not just a fetus. You also have a family without a wife and mother.

    We need to carefully study scripture to arrive at God's direction in this matter. It's not a simple slam dunk decision because there are several directions in the bible to direct us. I've listed these previously, but some Christians have made decisions without studying scripture completely. There should not be any argument about sin concerning abortion. Using abortion as a means of birth control is a flagrant sin. Before concluding research about sin, you MUST read what Christ told us about the subject. It's, as they say, short and sweet. Go to Matt. 12:31,32. Christ's shed blood covers ALL sins except one. The word ALL means just that, and includes murder as well as the common sins we commit repeatedly such as lying, false witness, gossip, stealing from the office, taking unauthorized long lunch hours,  breaking the speed limit, over eating, etc., etc. I'm frustrated that although I've given Mat. 12:31,32 many times, Christians refuse to listen, read or follow Christ's very words. "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy  against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come."

    I've heard the argument that permitting abortion for any reason is
forbidden in scripture verses such as John 5:14 and John 8:11. In fact,
in this latter reference Christ even says, "Neither do I condemn you."
Remember, we are considering any abortion here, including abortion
to save the mother's life. So far, scripture tells us actions such as murder and abortion are not unforgivable sins. It also tells us to go and not commit more sins. Every Christian should know that Christ has told us every one of us is sinful and will sometimes commit some kind of sin. If you are sinless, you must be a son or daughter of God, right along with Christ. If Christ doesn't condemn a sinner, why do you think you have that judgment power?

    There's more yet to consider before making or continuing judgment
of abortion. I pray you've heard about sins of commission and omission?
Let's again look at scripture. Luke tells us the story of the Good
Samaritan  in 10:23-37. It is a perfect example not only of being a good
neighbor, but also showing us the sin of OMISSION--not providing aid
when you should. Not doing the right thing is an error of omission. It may be nobody noticed you failed to show mercy, but God did see your sin of omission. 

    After studying the biblical references I've provided, and considering
the patience, mercy and compassion of God, I strongly oppose abortion
EXCEPT when an existing life will be lost if the fetus is not aborted. To
allow the woman to die, especially if she is wife and a mother of born
children, is a direct violation of Christ's principles: (1)it is not an
unforgivable sin; (2)it is denying a husband his wife; (3)it is taking away
a mother if there are other children; (4)it is taking upon yourself the role
of judgment, forbidden by scripture (Matt. 7:1), "Judge not, that you be
not judged."; (5)we are born with the seed of sin within us; (6)abortion
to save a woman's life is both merciful and compassionate; (7)the
aborted fetus will go to the bosom of Abraham (heaven--even the Old
Testament Jews knew about this); (8)not permitting abortion to save
the mother's life becomes the sin of murder--which is forgivable under
Christ's rules. 

    I must admit, I will have to work on my ability to forgive when I hear
of a mother condemned to death by ignorant people, especially the very
self righteous Christians who don't know scripture or really aren't
committed to Christ. Those people who condemn abortion for any purpose will be judged according to their judgment, and God isn't fooled by excuses.

Rev. Walbear