Senate Democrats blocked a bill that would have required medical care for babies born after a failure attempt to abort them. This bill should have been a no-brainer, but 44 Democrats voted against it. They claim the bill was unnecessary as laws already require medical treatment for any baby born after an abortion attempt. Still, one must wonder why they would vote against this bill. The bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Ben Sasse, said voting against the bill was a vote for infanticide.
I find it ironic that this same week the new leader of the Democrat party Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questioned whether people should have babies any more. The factors she listed as concerns were global warming and college debt. It seems like some people want to do anything they can to stop babies from being born.
This isn't a political rant or an attack on any political party. These are facts, but the primary reason for this post is to give a call for the church to become more aggressive in speaking for the sanctity of life. I fear that many Christians and churches have become silent on this issue. As a result, our nation is incredibly divided on the issue of abortion including many within our churches. We are allowing the politicians and media to set the parameters for the discussion around sanctity of life issues. They would prefer the Christian community stay out of the conversation, but since the Scriptures have much to say about the sanctity of life, the church cannot keep silent.
When abortion was first legalized much of the church rose in protest. Sanctity of Life Sundays were a big deal. Ministers were bold to preach about the sanctity of life. Denominations published materials to educate their members about the issue. However, in the last few years much of the passion around the issue has been lost. Perhaps it is because many have believed the debate was lost and it was pointless to pursue it any further. We became weary in well-doing.
The church also made another big mistake in the abortion debates. Too often we attacked those who made the decision to have an abortion. I still remember early scenes of Christians lining the walkways to abortion clinics shouting at the women entering and waving signs condemning them for the choice they were making. Too many pastors railed against the people who made the choice to end their pregnancy often not realizing that some of the women they were denouncing were sitting in front of them, hurting over the decision they had made but fearful of telling anyone. When it came to this issue we forgot the mantra of how God hates the sin but loves the sinner. These attacks turned a lot of people against the church's position on abortion.
Pro-life people warned that the legalization of abortion was the first step down a slippery slope. It appears we have continued to slide further down that slope with this latest action by the Senate.
Let me suggest three things the church needs to do. First, we need to continue to speak for the sanctity of life. Every life is precious in God's sight. Secondly, we need to understand that many of the women who have chosen abortions did so for reasons we might not understand. Some felt at the time they had no choice, but now realize how wrong they were. I have talked to several who told me how much they now regret it and the pain they feel when they think about that choice they made. They do not need to be condemned but reminded of the grace of God. Thirdly, we need to pray for revival. Any nation that does not protect its most innocent and defenseless is a nation that is facing God's judgment. Our nation desperately needs revival.
There is one other thing that we as individuals need to do. I am not a one-issue voter, but I would never vote for any candidate who supports abortion. The 44 Senators who would not vote to protect the life of a live baby should never receive one vote from a Christian who believes life is precious. It's time Christians made their beliefs known at the polls, and if this issue doesn't make that happen I don't know what would.
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