Remember Life!
Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong” (Psalm 125:3 ESV).
The month of January is a time to remember the unborn. Every January we remember to pray for God’s protection of unborn babies. We have a great deal to remember; but an even greater need to act. We remember the more than 63 million babies that were not allowed to see the light of day since 1973. We remember leaders who have covered over evil by calling abortion the right to choose. Most importantly, we remember that God set human life apart. He sanctified human life. “Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature” (Genesis 2:7). Men and women bear the image of God. Every man and woman has an immortal soul. God has made it very clear that He is for life!
In fact, God ordained capital punishment in Israel for premeditated murder. God revealed that life was so precious in His eyes that the one who unlawfully took it rightly forfeited his life.
Don’t be surprised that those who believe in their hearts that there is no God would have such a self-centered and low view of life that abortion would be referred to as a woman’s right to choose. Even in the church, there are those who call abortion a political issue. It is not! Abortion is a moral issue.
Psalm 125 is a “Song of Ascents” used by the people of God in worship. The ascent was the act of going up to worship. As we worship the Living God, we lift up our eyes to heaven from where our help comes (Psalm 121:1).
Psalm 125 reveals God’s promises given to His people. Israel, the visible church of the Old Testament was promised by God to always have a strong foundation for life and be assured of His protection. Verse 3 contains God’s condition that He will keep evil from ruling over His people. The caveat is that God expects that His people would not “stretch out their hands to do wrong.”
We no longer live under a theocracy. That is, God instituted Civil Government for the good and welfare of all people (Romans 13). Yet, believers ought not to take comfort in that this conditional promise of God no longer applies. God is holy. He never “winks” at sin. Sin is a direct offence against His character. He will never accommodate sin. Abortion is sin. It is first a sin against the holy God. It is also a sin against man and if His people do wrong, there will be consequences.
The Apostle Paul advised the Church in Corinth that judgment must be directed inside the church. He declared the truth that God will judge the world. Christians are followers of Jesus. We were made new creatures by God’s grace alone. Believers live under God’s word. Jesus Christ is the King and Head of the church, and His word is her standard.
I in no way indorse those who would take the law into their own hands. Violence against abortionists can never be acceptable in defense of life. Those who would advocate such violence are resisting God’s authority (Romans 13:2). God did not give the “sword” to the church. However I am exhorting Christians to be who they profess to be.
There are three actions Christians can and should take against the evil of abortion. First and foremost, pray for God’s protection of the unborn and those who have been deceived to think that abortion is an acceptable choice. Second, support local pregnancy crisis centers financially or by volunteering. We in Weatherford have an opportunity to do exactly that. Grace House Ministries, which includes the Options Clinic, is a blessing to our community. I give the Lord thanks for their efforts in being used by Him to minister to women and their unborn babies. Finally, the church has been commanded to disciple the nations. Christians are to be people of light. The only way by which this evil can be purged from our land is by God’s grace in changing the hearts of men and women through the gospel (Romans 1:16).
Remember human life and never stretch out your hands to do evil (or support those who do)!
