Just a few weeks ago (January 22, 2013), we observed the 40th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade case that has opened the doors to the ungodly act of abortion. Nevertheless, the emotions still run high over the multitudes of murders that doctors have committed in the past four decades. Roughly thirty percent (30%) of all pregnancies today in America are ending in abortion. Nevertheless, just because our nation may legalize something, this does not make it morally right in the eyes of God. I believe the Bible teaches that abortion is indeed murder for the following four reasons.
First, abortion is murder because a baby is human life. The fetus in the womb of the mother is not animal life, vegetable life or plant life. It is human life. Children in the womb of their mother are special objects of the love and concern of God Almighty (Ps. 139:13-17). In fact, God spoke of Jeremiah as he was in the womb of his mother: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jer. 1:5). The same is true of John the Baptizer (Luke 1:41).
Second, abortion is murder because it transgresses the “Golden Rule.” Jesus plainly declared, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matt. 7:12). How would anyone feel if our mothers aborted us before we could even voice our opinion? Would we want a doctor to kill us, as if we are in the womb of our mother, just as poor innocent children are slaughtered every day?
Third, abortion is murder because it contradicts the deepest and most basic human instinct of protecting our offspring. As a father, I would literally die for my children if necessary. I know many fathers and mothers would say the same. Only those who allow Satan to influence them so severely will lose this “natural affection” (cf. Rom. 1:31).
Fourth, abortion is murder because it is primarily rooted in selfishness. The facts declare that 93% of all abortions occur for birth control. Less than one percent occurs for victims of rape or incest.
Yet, the good news today is that one may find forgiveness, even of the sin of abortion. It does not matter where you began, but what you become. We have all made mistakes (Rom. 3:23), but God can bring good things even out of bad decisions for those who repent and confess their faults.
I would like to add one final thought—although I disagree passionately about the issue of abortion, I do not approve of murder and violence in any way. Protesting such immoralities does not give anyone the right to commit violent acts (i.e., bombing abortion clinics), even when we disagree with the sanction of our government concerning such things. The way to approach such immorality is not with violence, but with victory in Jesus. Jesus gave us a great example of how to deal with such issues—we protest through our teaching and connecting with people. We show them the right way to live by living a life of faith in Jesus Christ. We are to be “meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:28). Let us all strive to live moral lives rooted in the gospel of Jesus!