June 2022 - A MOMENT OF GRACE & CHOICE

A-MOMENT-OF-GRACE-AND-CHOICE.pdf

A MOMENT OF GRACE AND CHOICE - JUNE 2022

On Friday 24th June the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, stating that there never was a federal constitutional right to an abortion.  "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his majority opinion. "It’s reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences."

For almost 50 years abortion was erroneously regarded as a constitutional right in the United States and many other nations followed its example. The Supreme Court ruling this week recognizes that abortion is not a constitutional right and it is therefore up to the states to make their own laws governing the issue. In those fifty years an estimated 63 million babies have died at the hand of the abortionists. How many great potential scientists, writers, missioners, inventors, doctors and saints were unable to contribute their unique gifts to the earth? How many mothers have been racked with guilt and regret? Only God knows.

Obviously abortion has never been a right in the courts of heaven. It is always an act of violence to kill an innocent baby whether in the womb, in the crib or in school. The Scriptures clearly show that the child in the womb is not a mere piece of human tissue but a distinct, innocent human being. The Bible says we were formed and covered in the womb. (Jeremiah 1.5: Psalm 139.13-16) John the Baptist recognized the Messiah from his mother's womb. (Luke 21.44) Science supports what the Bible declares - that the child in the womb experiences pain, fear, comfort, peace and joy like any other person.

For women and their partners, who may have used abortion to avoid the responsibility or the embarrassment of an unwanted pregnancy, we have an obligation to extend mercy and understanding showing the way of release from any guilt of the past. We join with Jesus in saying: "Neither do I condemn you" but also join with Him in saying "Go and sin no more." (John 8.11) All believers in Jesus have had to make this two part journey.

In the 19th century the American dream and vision of equality and opportunity for all was perverted by the horror of human trafficking, kidnapping and slavery. What unspeakable damage was done to the victims of this abuse and their abusers! Thankfully this cruelty has been slowly and tortuously exorcised from our society and we continue to deal with the shadows and legacy of this. It will be the achievement of the 21st century to exorcise the equally egregious consequences of abortion from our land. May the Lord show His mercy and give us a new heart and a new spirit, as He pours out His spirit upon our land. Let America’s prayer be the prayer of the adulterer and murderer, and yet beloved of God, King David.

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin. ..
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (Psalm 51.1-2: 10-11)

Our Heavenly Father, and Creator is at this time calling the nation to return to His ways and turn away from the counsel of the ungodly. As Elijah said, in words that echo down the ages: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” (1 Kings 18.21) The courts cannot make this choice for us, but each individual can choose God's ways and His paths for themselves.