Life Wins

On Friday, June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and returning the question of abortion’s legality to the states. The Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization upholds a law from Mississippi that bans abortion after fifteen weeks of pregnancy. In its ruling, the Court’s conservative majority said that the Roe decision was egregiously wrong in recognizing a constitutional right to an abortion. States now have broad latitude to regulate or prohibit abortion as they see fit. A six-to-three margin decided the case, with Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan dissenting. The majority opinion was authored by Justice Samuel Alito. Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, captured the significance of this moment for Christians everywhere when he wrote: “Today is the day to give thanks to God – life wins!”
 
As a committed follower of Christ, I believe that abortion is not the will of God because of the many passages in the Bible that speak to the truth that God recognizes life in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 49:1b), and the many passages about that prohibit the taking of life, beginning with, but not limited to, the Sixth Commandment where God says, You shall not commit murder (Exodus 20:13), an Old Testament commandment that is affirmed in the New Testament. So, I’m celebrating this answer to prayer, and I’m celebrating the knowledge that thousands upon thousands of unborn children will now have the right to life. And, as Bob Russell wrote in a recent blog, “Maybe the next Billy Graham or Mother Teresa will emerge from among those who have been rescued. That’s reason to rejoice.”

At the same time, I’m thinking about the many women I have counseled who have had an abortion and are living with the devastation and heartbreak of their decision. I don’t want this to sound calloused or cold, but, in complete honesty, I’m not moved by someone who protests the Pro-life movement with a “My body, my choice” or “Keep your theology away from my biology sign,” although I do have a deep concern for their soul. I’m moved by desperate, frightened, and isolated women who have no one to turn to and have not had the opportunity to experience the love, grace, and forgiveness of God. These are the kinds of women I have counseled and prayed with. So, while I’m celebrating this decision, I’m also mindful of the truth that as followers of Christ, we need to continue to spread the love and mercy and grace of God to everyone, including women who, as I mentioned above, can find themselves desperate, frightened, and alone.

So, let’s celebrate this decision, and let’s commit ourselves to carrying the banner of “Life Wins” into the everyday responsibility to be the light of the world Jesus calls us to be in Matthew 5:14-16. Here are some practical ways we can make that happen.

Spiritual Influence – One of the Core Four Strategies of Mount Pleasant Christian Church is Spiritual Influence which is lived out by being willing to Develop a Friendship with someone so you can Discover their Story and ultimately Discern Next Steps on how you can point them to Jesus. One of the things Christians need to do to make an IMPACT on the life of someone who is vulnerable when it comes to bad choices is to be willing to love people in the hard and difficult places of life. It’s time for many Christians to start living out the reality of their faith in the everyday reality of a broken world where we follow the example of Jesus, who came into the world full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Support Foster Care and Adoptive Families – We have several families in our church who are committed to Foster Care and Adoption. And while we have had different “seasons” where this commitment has been more active and celebrated than others, there’s no reason why it can’t be a constant source of help and encouragement to people/children in need. You can contact Heidi Wright, our Missions and Outreach Director, at hwright@mpccministry.com to learn more about this ministry or to get in contact with those who lead and are actively involved.
 
Support Care Net Pregnancy Center of Johnson County – This local mission partner recognizes that the recent Supreme Court Decision will create an influx of needs in each of their locations. They are currently finishing a build-out of their newest center in downtown Greenwood on Main Street. The Greenwood location needs are:

• Receptionist
• Client Advocates
• Medical, ultrasound tech, LPN, RN, PA, NP, MD
• Multiple construction project needs

You can contact Eric Allen, Executive Director, at eallen@carenetpc.org or 317.535.6396.

In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul writes, If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. (NIV) It’s possible to say and believe and do all the right things when it comes to the Christian life but have no IMPACT on the world around you because of the absence of genuine love. Let’s celebrate and rejoice in this June 24, 2022, victory for life, but let’s also let it remind us of the importance of loving others in a way that leads them to Jesus, who offers everyone the opportunity for a new life. That’s the best way to ensure the ongoing celebration of those glorious words -  LIFE WINS!