About the Author: Pastor Robert Hammond is a Bible teacher with a professional background in medical research and communications. He may be contacted at hammond.robert@gmail.com

Overview: This article highlights key reasons why Christians should stand against abortion and provides practical suggestions for local churches. Most importantly, it is written with love and compassion for those who have been involved in abortion.

Key Points:

Sanctity of Life: According to the Bible, life begins at conception. Every life is a gift from God, deserving of protection and respect.
Role of Local Churches: Fellow believers should support expectant parents by offering regular prayer, counseling, and practical support as appropriate.
Alternatives to Abortion: Christians are encouraged to explore and support alternatives such as adoption, when appropriate.

Why Christians Should Not Consider Abortion

In a society that increasingly embraces moral relativism, Christians must stand firm on the unchanging truths of God’s Word. Among the most pressing issues of our time is abortion—a practice that claims the lives of the unborn under the guise of personal choice.

The Scope of Abortion in the United States

To understand the gravity of abortion, consider some statistics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2019, there were 629,898 abortions performed in the United States;
According to Just Facts, roughly 1 in 5 U.S. pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion. And nearly half of all women who have abortions have had at least one previous abortion;
Just Facts reports that, since 1973, over 62 million abortions have been performed in the United States.

These figures reflect the ongoing prevalence of abortion and the need for Christians to address this issue with both truth and compassion.

Responding to Abortion Biblically

Christians must align our convictions with Scripture and reject abortion as a violation of God’s sacred design for life.

Life Begins at Conception

The Bible affirms the sanctity of life, beginning at conception. In Jeremiah 1:5, God declares, “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.” This verse reveals that God not only forms life in the womb but also ordains a purpose for every individual before birth.

Similarly, Psalm 139:13-16 testifies to God’s intricate work in creating each human being: “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” From the earliest stages of development, the unborn child is a living soul, crafted by the hand of Almighty God.

The Sanctity of Human Life

Human life is sacred because every person bears the image of God. Genesis 1:27 proclaims, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” To destroy an innocent life is to destroy a person who bears the image of God Himself.

Abortion violates the sixth commandment: “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). While some may argue that the unborn are not yet persons, Scripture recognizes them as fully human, deserving of the same protection and dignity as those outside the womb. The Bible’s consistent message is that life—at every stage—is precious in the eyes of the LORD.

A Misuse of Christian Liberty

Some argue that Christians have liberty to pursue abortion, claiming that freedom in Christ permits personal choices based on individual conscience. However, Scripture makes it clear that Christian liberty is not a license to sin. Galatians 5:13 states, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” True Christian freedom is rooted in righteousness and obedience to God’s commands, not self-indulgence. Furthermore, Romans 6:1-2 admonishes believers, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Abortion, as a deliberate taking of innocent life, violates God’s moral law and cannot be justified under the guise of liberty.

Trusting God in Difficult Circumstances

Many who consider abortion do so because of fear, hardship, or pressure. Yet, Christians are called to trust God’s sovereignty and provision, even in challenging circumstances. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

God’s Word assures us that He is near to the brokenhearted and provides grace for every need. Instead of turning to abortion as a solution, believers should rely on their church for support, counsel, and practical help. Church members are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to demonstrate a gracious love (Luke 6:32-36)

The Gospel of Life

At its core, abortion is a sin that stems from humanity’s fallen nature. Yet, the good news of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. Because of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ — and the blood that he shed to cover our sins — forgiveness is available to all who repent and come to him in faith. The grace of God is greater than any sin, and His mercy is available to all who seek it. Learn more at https://www.lhbaptist.com/salvation

A Call to Action

As Christians, we must boldly proclaim the truth about abortion and advocate for the protection of the unborn. Further, we must demonstrate a gracious love to those who have been involved in abortion. This includes:

Speak the Truth in Love: Share the biblical perspective on life with compassion and grace.
Pray for Our Nation: Intercede for leaders, lawmakers, and individuals to uphold the sanctity of life.
Live Out Our Faith: Demonstrate the love of Christ by providing practical support to mothers and fathers in need.

We also note that, for some, adoption may be an appropriate option. One writer states:

Giving children up for adoption can be a loving alternative for parents who may, for various reasons, be unable to care for their own children. It can also be an answer to prayer for many couples who have not been able to have children of their own. Adoption is, for some, a calling to multiply their impact as parents by expanding their family with children who are not their own, biologically. Adoption is spoken of favorably throughout Scripture.

Summary

In conclusion, abortion is not an option for those who seek to honor God and uphold his Word. Let us commit to being voices for the voiceless, standing firm on the truth of scripture, and reflecting the heart of our Creator, who values every life that he has made.

Acknowledgements:

The author has cited statistics from Just Facts, an independent research and educational institute dedicated to publishing objective analysis of public policy. Access information related to abortion at https://www.justfacts.com/abortion

Material regarding adoption is quoted from GotQuestions.org. While we do not support their use of modern Bible versions, we often agree with their position on various topics.

This article was developed, in part, with the assistance of tools from OpenAI, including ChatGPT (December 27, 2024 version). Access at https://openai.com/chatgpt