Abortion.
The word alone brings to the table many intense thoughts and feelings in people of all walks of life. But I feel compelled to explain my thoughts and reasons from a factual basis.
The facts of life
I know God greatly values human life—we were made in his image after all. The Bible shows God especially values children, and does not see them as lesser humans in any way. The killing and sacrifice of children is described as an abomination in Leviticus chapter 18, verse 21 and Deuteronomy chapter 12, verse 31, and chapter 18, verse 10. There is no exemption for unborn babies.
I know a foetus is alive. Anyone who has seen a live ultrasound image must acknowledge this. I still recall clearly the ultrasound images of my children when they were two weeks old: 'Wow,' I said to my wife, 'I don't care what anyone says, that foetus is alive!' and I felt full of joy that I could see such a thing.
Just because a foetus is inside a woman's body, and is dependent on that body for life support and sustenance, does not make it lifeless or simply a growth of the mother's body.
How can someone say a foetus is not alive until birth? It is alive the moment the sperm enters an egg and the DNA is formed, creating a unique and genetically different being from its mother.
The four letter word
I had the recent misfortune of seeing a medical training video of different term abortions being performed. I could not watch the entire clip, it was just so ... cold. I felt upset and incredibly angry that someone could even begin to think that this was OK.
I felt God speak to me as I acknowledged the sorrow he feels for human life destroyed where it should be protected.
The way to deal with this legal murder? Love.
WHAT!? I expected God to give me a plan to destroy abortion clinics and all the associated bureaucracy. Instead, I felt God showing me that his answer to our abortion problem is this: love.
God did not give us the wisdom of his word to stop us from having fun. He gave it to us for our own good and the good of others. With our ability to reproduce, he set strict boundaries of marriage for a reason.
I know of people who have had abortions performed in their younger years and they feel a complete sense of guilt and loss, resulting in depression and all its sidekicks because of what they let themselves go through. God's answer to these people is love. Through his healing grace, love and forgiveness he is able to release people from the guilt and shame of their sin.
Abortion is murder. It is thoughtless, inhumane, selfish and irresponsible. I pray that those who have gone ahead with this tragic procedure to find refuge in Christ—who comes to heal and restore. I have great hope that God will provide true restoration in the heavenly realms. My hope is in God's mercy, that he might allow the children slain by generations to live and thrive in heaven.
We see God's love displayed in full view on the cross, as he sent his own son to die for us, so that we might have life and freedom from sin. God's love brings restoration of relationship and healing. Understanding and living this great love is the answer to the abortion problem, as it shows God's mercy and gives us hope in ultimate restoration.
Michael Dahlenburg is an electronics engineer currently working in the ATM industry. He is non-denominational and has previously been involved in church plants and assisting those in ministry. His interests include enjoying family, home DIY, gardening, most things tech-related and driving his wife crazy with a constant stream of inventions! He lives with his wife Michelle and three children in God's own land of Southern Adelaide, Australia.
Michael Dahlenburg's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/michael-dahlenburg.html