Why are We at War Over Abortion?

Abortion & the Church's Response

Can someone explain this to me? Why we choose to use language like this in regard to the abortion issue? Why must we be at war with them? Have we stopped to see what kind of impact this war has on those on the other side? Whether we started this war or not, we have become enthusiastic participants in it, proudly and loudly lobbing our weapons of warfare into their camps where many of them lie wounded already by their own past abortion decisions and post-abortion pain. (Tell me: What do wounded animals do when someone comes along to help them? They lash out violently. Does that mean we say to heck with them and leave them to die in their misery? I know that's not our intention, but is it what many of us in pro-life circles are doing? It's not our goal, but too often it is the result of our passionate defense of life. Interesting irony, don't you think?)

Jesus didn't come to this planet in order to "go to war" over "social issues." He came to show us the Father's heart toward lost and dying sinners and to show these same sinners how to find peace and salvation through Him. He came to show us how to walk in love, even when people falsely accuse us or tempt us or plot evil against us. But He never talked about waging war against social ills or the ones who perpetuate them. (For the record, the only ones he railed against were the religious leaders who kept people from Him by their legalism and pride.)

Jesus did come, also, to teach us how to do battle against our enemy -- not the flesh and blood kind but the spiritual enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour us. He showed us a distinct difference between the "enemies" of this world -- which actually include our own "flesh" (our human nature) -- and the enemy of God in the form of Satan.

For us to wage war on abortion is much like fighting air. We work ourselves into a frenzy, albeit passionately, but what does our swinging and flailing accomplish? I will tell you: it alienates the ones we are called to love; the ones we are called to meet at the point of their need with the love and concern and truth of Jesus.

No, I say we lay down our current weapons of battle -- the emails and blogs and picket signs that rage against this "social ill" and those who support it. I say we take up our spiritual garments of peace, salvation, truth, and righteousness. I say we stop flailing at air and start aiming our true weapon (the sword of the Spirit) at the Prince of the air! And I say we make peace with the people of this world who have been deceived; the people who are operating out of their woundedness and hopelessness and false selves.

No, the way to win this "war" is not with anger and railing and shouting at the human hands perpetuating evil in this world. We are called to love them, to be Jesus to them. There's nothing wrong with informing the body of Christ what goes on where this issue is concerned. We need to be informed! But even in those communications we should be expressing our love for the flesh and blood people who are perpetuating abortion and the plethora of deceptions surrounding this issue.

Just imagine what would transpire if we followed Jesus' example of ministering to the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery where the pro-choice/pro-abortion people are concerned. What if we went, two-by-two to them, befriended them, shared His love with them?

Now I'm not naive enough to think that all of a sudden every pro-choice/pro-abortion person is going to turn into a righteous Pollyanna! But don't you think we will gather more flies with honey than with vinegar?

I challenge my colleagues in pro-life circles to try this strategy for a month. I challenge you to ask God if you are one who has "waged war" against the wrong enemy. And if you are, ask Him to enable you to see these "enemies" as He sees them and to love them accordingly; put His Word and His Truth to the ultimate test. Don't stop speaking the truth, simply commit to making sure that whatever you do or say, it is wrapped in compassion, mercy and humility, and filled with His Spirit.

Let's declare PEACE with these human "enemies" just as Jesus would -- by His Word, through His Spirit, and for His glory and their benefit. Let's lay down our weapons in this world and take up the full armor of God. Let's aim the Sword of the Spirit at our rightful enemy as we build bridges of peace, hope, reconciliation and salvation for those who are lost, hurting and dying in this world.

For further reading: see Ephesians 6:10-17; John 4:7-30; John 8:1-11

...and go and do likewise!

Abortion hurts. Jesus heals! We can help.

Have a blessed day in Jesus!
Mary