The Dynamics of Abortion

The Dynamics of Forgiveness as it Relates to Abortion

Many women who have had an abortion fall into one of two categories pertaining to forgiveness: (1) either they find it impossible to accept that God could forgive a sin as great as theirs, or (2) they may be able to accept that God has forgiven them, but find it impossible to forgive themselves and/or others who participated in their abortion.

"God could never forgive something this big."

Those who believe their sin is too big for God to forgive need assurances from the Word of God such as those found in the following verses

1. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Psalm 86:5

The "all" here means just what it says - all! All who call upon Him. That includes those who have committed the sin of abortion.

2. "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven." Matthew 12:31

Note: The word "blasphemy" here comes from the Greek word blasphemia which means:
1) slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good name
2) impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty
This is the only verse in scripture that sets forth an exclusion to the forgiveness provided through the shedding of Christ's blood.

3. "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." Acts 10:43

Note: The only essential criterion here is belief in Jesus Christ. No mention is made of the severity of the sin.

4. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7

Note: The redemption we receive is based on Jesus' shed blood at the cross; the forgiveness of our sins is given on the basis of His grace - not our worthiness to be forgiven. "Redemption" (according to the Greek word apolutrosis) means: 1) a releasing effected by payment of ransom
1a) redemption, deliverance
1b) liberation procured by the payment of a ransom

5. "AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE." Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Hebrews 10:17-18

Note: Very simply, this statement speaks to the complete sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice to cover every sin (with the exception of blasphemy as detailed above).

6. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Note: There is no exclusion here based on the "degree" of sin. On the contrary, it says "all unrighteousness." Once again, the forgiveness we receive is based on His faithfulness and righteousness, not on anything having to do with us or our behavior.

It is also important for them to know what forgiveness is and what it is not.

Basic Principles of Forgiveness

• Forgiveness is not a feeling. It is a choice that must be made as a conscious act of the will and has nothing to do with your feelings. The choice doesn't change your feelings any more than your feelings nullify the choice. Making the choice is not the destination. It is only the beginning of the journey toward healing.
• Forgiveness does not undo the damage or minimize the pain. It does not sweep the conduct or the consequences under the rug where they will trip you up later. Forgiveness involves facing your feelings and dealing with them directly and honestly. Acknowledge the anger, the hurt, the guilt, and the shame. But because your feelings will change daily, you must choose to anchor yourself in God's Word that never changes.
• Forgiveness is a product of God's mercy. If you feel that you don't deserve to be forgiven, you're right. Forgiveness is a free gift from God based on the shed blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Just as you did nothing to earn the forgiveness that leads to salvation, you can do nothing to earn forgiveness for your sin now. You must choose to accept God's forgiveness and you must choose to forgive yourself. God commands that you do so (Ephesians 4:31-32).
• Forgiveness is a command. God never commands us to do something without providing a way for us to obey Him. It is impossible to obey the command to forgive without relying on God's forgiveness to enable you. Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). In time He will enable you, through the power of His Holy Spirit, to completely forgive yourself and anyone else who may have played a part in your abortion (Philippians 2:13). However, you must first decide to forgive. If you will allow Him, God will work in you to free you from the bondage of the guilt, the grief and the shame.

"God may have forgiven me, but I can't forgive myself (or others who participated in the abortion)"

Those who are unable to forgive themselves or others need to learn about the second kind of forgiveness discussed in God's Word. In Matthew 22:39 Jesus tells us that the second greatest commandment is to love one another as we love ourselves. This admonition is a reminder that we are to be loving toward others, just as we are to ourselves. The "as" in this verse comes from the Greek word hos which means, "as, like, even as, etc."

He also commands us to forgive one another because we have been forgiven by God. The forgiveness He commands us to give freely to each other is not the forgiveness that atones for sin. Only the shed blood of Jesus Christ can accomplish that type of forgiveness. On the contrary, the forgiveness we are to offer others is the releasing of our right to retribution or revenge. (The word forgive in Mark 11:25 comes from the Greek word aphiemi, which means to let go, give up, forgive, keep no longer or disregard.) It is a different way of wiping the slate clean, canceling the debt, although not canceling the debt of sin against God. By forgiving others, we are relinquishing our right to punish those who have hurt us. The logical conclusion then when carried out is to assert that if we can offer that kind of forgiveness to others, we can also extend that kind of forgiveness to ourselves. In essence by forgiving ourselves, we are refusing to punish ourselves for the wrong choices we've made. It is extending the grace of Jesus Christ to ourselves that we may then live for His glory.

Unforgiveness leads to bitterness, even when that unforgiveness is toward ourselves. It perpetuates self-destructive behaviors that hinder both our walk with God and our witness to others of His love and power in our lives. The only way to destroy Satan's destructive grip on our lives is to take what he meant for evil and allow God to redeem it for His glory. By doing so, our lives become a testimony of His grace and hope for others who have likewise suffered because of their own choices.