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