Can we agree that abortion is
murder?
First from the biblical account
we must agree that abortion is murder.
The Ten Commandments, recorded for us in the book of Exodus-written by
God on stone tablets given to Moses on the Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:1 KJV)-the
prohibition. The text reads, “Thou shalt
not kill.” (Exodus 20:13 KJV) Of course
this is the section of the commandments that address the issue of man’s
relationship with man, therefore, I believe that it speaks plainly and
pointedly at the issue of abortion.
Because abortion is murder!
Other places in Holy Writ we
see the dire straights of the issue of murder.
We see with particular interest, what Numbers decrees:
And if he smite him with
an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer
shall surely be put to death. 17 And if he smite him with throwing a
stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer
shall surely be put to death. 18 Or if he smite him with an hand
weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the
murderer shall surely be put to death. 19 The revenger of blood
himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. 20 But
if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; 21 Or
in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall
surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of
blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
Numbers 35:16-21 (KJV)
Then there is that most
commonly used phrase, “An eye for an eye,” found in Exodus 21:24, but seldom do
we hear from the preceding verses:
"If men strive, and hurt
a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no
mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband
will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 And
if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life..."
Ex 21:22-23 (KJV)
Now, there is much more to be
said, and many more verse to cover, but let me get to the heart of the
issue. Abortion is as much murder as any
other sin perpetrated on society. It is
a much so as a man pulling a gun in the ‘hood and killing a ten year old child;
a man sneaking into a crowded theater and opening fire killing and injuring
dozens of people. Abortion is as wrong
as a man getting drunk on a local tavern and driving head-long into a van
loaded with adults. Abortion is murder,
because it is the taking of a life.
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.
Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)
Listen, O isles, unto
me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord
hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention
of my name.
Isaiah 49:1 (KJV)
Some would say the formation of a child in the womb of a
mother is not alive until birth, that there is nothing more than a fetus developing
in the womb as a mass of tissue. But I
beg to differ with you. From research,
and my own humble understanding of the development of a child in the womb of a
mother, that is a child with childlike features growing inside the womb of the
mother. It is taking nourishment,
growing and development personalities and bodily functions as the weeks turn
into months.
Conception-one egg and one
sperm out of hundreds of eggs and millions of sperm unite to create on
embryo. (What a miracle work by God!)
First Trimester-Within the
first four weeks the fetal growth involves the spinal cord, nervous system,
gastrointestinal system, the heart and lungs.
By eight weeks the face is forming, arms and legs are moving, the baby’s
heart begins beating and the brain and other organs form. In 12 weeks the baby grows to 3 inches long
weighing 1 ounce. During this time the
baby begins to move toes and fingers, fingerprints are present, there is smiling,
frowning, sucking, and swallowing. The
baby begins to urinate and the sex of the child can be discerned by this time.
Second Trimester-During the
second three months the baby kicks, can hear and has a strong grip. At 16 weeks there is a strong heartbeat
present and the skin is transparent as fingernails and toenails form on the
tiny little hands and toes. The baby is
now able to rollover in amniotic fluid.
At the 20 weeks mark the heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope,
there is hair on the head, eyelashes and eyebrows, and the baby can suck the thumb and may have hiccups. At 24 weeks the baby is 11 to 14 inches
weighing 1 to 1 ½ pounds, the skin is covered with a protective coating and the
eyes are open.
Third Trimester-By this time
the baby is very active. At 28 weeks
there is initial breathing and movements, as body fat begins to develop. At 32 weeks the baby will be experiencing
periods of sleep and wakefulness and respond to sounds. During the 36 to 38 week period the baby will
be 19 or more inches long weighing more than 6 pounds and less active. It is during this time the baby will gain
immunities from mother
While the precious life is
growing in the womb of the mother, God is the one forming and shaping that baby
into His purpose, His plan, for that little life. We know not what God has in store for that little
bundle, but we know that God has a plan.
And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Since all of these are true,
then how it that some vow that abortion is the only option for those who do not
want the baby God has planted in the womb.
Sure, there was a man who gave his seed, but friend at that point the
whole process is out of our hands. God
takes the seed, joins it with the egg and begins to form and develop the child
for his pleasing. It is by His hand that
the little body, with legs and arms, adorned with toes and fingers is beginning
to take shape. It a man interrupts that
development and takes away the baby is that not murder-cold bloodied,
premeditated murder?
There are so many other options
available for this child, should the mother not want the child, protected in
the womb. There may be family who would
raise the child, or a young couple in the neighborhood. There are adoption agencies with couples who
would love to have a newborn baby. There
are children’s homes, family ministry, counseling, and so much more to offer,
taking away the potential nightmares that abortion brings to the mother.
A mother
who submits to regular doctors visits will see this growth, this miracle of the
birth process. Through Sonograms,
hearing the heartbeat, and getting an understanding of the process the mother
gains a clear understanding of this wonderful miracle. That mother who immediately thinks that
abortion is the only option misses the most wonderful thing that can ever
happen. They miss the pleasure of
bringing life into the world. Abortion
produces death not life.
For years
advocating the education and acceptance of those who have mental and physical
handicaps, strong disagreements were common.
It is easy to say that since a child is going to knowingly be born as a
Down’s Syndrome child, or other serious, life-long situations, that this is a
serious mistake to bring this child into the world of normal people. May I ask this question: “Who are you to tell
God who do not want a what He planned as special for you?” He planned a child like this for some dear
friends of mine and they would not trade the years they have had with her for
anything. They have loved her and
nurtured her, patiently working with her at home, in educational surroundings
and at church. Now she is in her forty’s
living in a group home and could not be better adjusted than she is now. If they had not had Christian doctors, a
loving family, a strong support system and values that are based on biblical
principles there daughter would have not had the impact she has had on so many
lives.
Someone
strikes a nerve with me when they say abortion is wrong except in the case of
rape, incest, or sexual abuse. Why is
that an exception? Do these situations
nullify the Word of God regarding His design and will of a purpose for an
unborn child? These situations are
unfortunate, unthinkable and a violation of the freedom of a woman, but to pass
that judgment on to an unborn child is reprehensible. Put the offender in jail, lock them away from
society and throw away the key. For the
pregnant female there is counseling and therapy available, there is hope for
recovery and there is a forgiveness from God.
But the baby is innocent and needs to be given all the freedoms that are
afforded him or her. If the mother and
the family do not want to keep the child, then adoption is the best
option. Give life to these children of
such a sorry, sad beginning and let them grow up in a world of love and
acceptance. Allow God to work out His
ultimate good and plan and purpose in that child’s life.
There is a
word here for those who think that abortion is an easy out for a lifestyle of
sexual freedom. This is a choice the
male and female make-yes, it takes “two to tango”-and that choice should be
always to choose not to have sex until marriage. Far too many teenagers think that sex is a wonderful
thing to indulge in; then there is an unwanted pregnancy. The first thing they do is decide that
abortion is the best, only option.
The option
should have been made before the act of sex took place. The option not to have a child by not having
sex should have been the first and only option.
While some think that conceptions are the answer, this is far from the
truth. Contraception’s are not fail
proof, therefore should not be the answer for premarital sex. This applies to the adults as well the
teenagers.
In
conclusion, let us return to the title of this blog. Folks, you can not have it both ways. Abortion in wrong in all cases whether it is
an unwanted pregnancy or rape, incest, or sexual abuse, as God is the master
designer as He creates His masterpiece.
This is a not a black or white issue, a culture issue; this is a moral
issue and it needs to be addressed as such.
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