Not a 37th - Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Today marks the 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion. By the grace and mercy of God, I pray there may not be a 37th.

The fact that some fifty million babies have been legally killed in the womb since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision staggers the mind. And it ought to pierce our souls, as well.

Who can deny that a human life is developing when a heartbeat begins about five weeks after conception? Did you know that a baby’s fingers begin to develop at week seven? At just eleven weeks nearly all structures and organs are formed and beginning to function.

Do you wonder if, perhaps, we have aborted the man or woman who may have discovered a more effective cancer treatment? Is it possible that we have taken the life of the would-be economist who may have had a solution (or prevention!) for our nation’s financial trouble? Could it be that we have killed in the womb a military leader who would have devised a better strategy for dealing with terrorism?

How many potentially great schoolteachers have been lost to abortion? How many compassionate caregivers have we murdered? How many attentive writers, innovative thinkers, gifted musicians, servant leaders, international peacemakers, just judges, wise politicians, knowledgeable doctors, heroic pilots, powerful preachers, helpful sales clerks, prompt appliance repairmen, loving daycare providers, honest workers and contributing taxpayers have we conveniently disposed of through legal infanticide?

We cannot merely sit back and do nothing. But what can we do? Although I believe we ought to engage our culture with our voices, our actions and our votes, the change we need is not in legislation. The change we need is a change in heart. The change we need is the change that takes place when a person repents of sin and receives the life of Jesus Christ into theirs. When Jesus becomes the Savior and Lord of a person’s life, He begins transforming minds and hearts to know the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The idea of taking the life of one created in the image of God by the hand of God will then become utterly repulsive and unthinkable.

Listen to the words of Psalm 139:13-16 as the writer erupts in adoration of his Creator: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written every one them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

There is simply no way to deny that life begins at the moment of conception. We ought to value every single life created by the One who does all things well. Nor is there any way to deny that God has ordained the lives of those He has created. The Lord spoke to Jeremiah saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5).

And can you imagine if abortion had been an option for Mary – a poor, unmarried teenager suddenly pregnant, with many questions and suspicions swirling about? Who in our day would blame such a young woman for making a trip to the local abortion doctor?

Let me say briefly that if you’ve had an abortion or have promoted this practice, I write this not to condemn you, but to point you to the One, Jesus Christ, who offers complete and full forgiveness for sin. In Him alone will you find cleansing from all guilt and shame.

I believe that we need to pray now more than ever for God to change our nation and this world by the power of the gospel of Christ Jesus. May we repent of our national sin and plead for God’s mercy upon us. We have been passive and indifferent for far too long. We have been calloused and cold-hearted. We have been selfish and wise in our own eyes. Let us acknowledge our sin and repent for these 36 years in which we have allowed this murderous practice to continue.

I'm afraid if we don't, God may withdraw His mercy and grace - and there may not be a 37th.