Right to Life

by Mona Hunter

This is a topic that I'm not qualified to write about–-however, I'm very passionate about it and so I will try. Last Sunday was Right to Life Sunday, a day when many churches discuss, study and sometimes have public activities to show their support for the unborn or the ill and dying. Just because last Sunday was set aside to observe this belief doesn't mean that we shouldn't think about it again until next year.

Our official Lutheran stand is, ‘Life is a sacred and precious gift from God', "who gives life to all things" 1 Timothy 6:13. From Genesis 2:7, we know that God breathed life into Adam. Psalm 139 explains that God has planned for us since before creation, " . . . All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be," Psalms 139:16.

God sought to protect life from the sin of abortion and the sin of euthanasia when He said, "You shall not murder," (Exodus 20:13).

The argument today often revolves around ‘when does life begin'? I believe God is clear about that as is recorded in Psalms, but here are a few other facts:

• A baby's heart begins to beat inside the womb at 21 days.
• A baby's feet are perfectly formed by 10 weeks.
• A baby has fingerprints at 10 weeks.
• All the organs are formed and begin functioning by 11 weeks. They will only grow and mature over the next few months.
• Babies have been prematurely born at 4½ months and develop as normal healthy children.
• Abortions are allowed in the United States through 9 months. (Please don't use the argument of ‘special cases'.)

How do we deal with this if we believe, ‘Life is a sacred and precious gift from God'?

First, we must remember that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, brings forgiveness and healing to those who repent of this sin (as with all repented sin). As Christians, we are to bring the comfort of God's forgiveness to these repentant people who will feel much grief once they see their sin.

Second, we need to educate others as to God's gift of life to these preborn babies. People who don't know God don't know where life comes from, Who paid the price for life or why life is important. People need to know that the aborted baby is a ‘life', not an inconvenience.

Also, when we as Christians know of someone who has conceived a baby and doesn't believe they have the means or will to let it be born----step up and try to help them. Offer any support you can, and if you can't offer enough, ask someone else to help. As Christians–that is, little Christs–given life through forgiveness because of Jesus Christ, isn't that what God has called us to do?

If you'd like more information on the Right to Life, call the church office. We'd be glad to help.