I find it interesting what has happened this past week. Alec Seekins preached a message at our church last Sunday, giving a Biblical perspective on unintended pregnancy and abortion. The next day we all heard about the Supreme Court leak regarding Roe v. Wade. And this Sunday, we are having a special service for Mother’s Day. With all that in mind, here are some thoughts.
There is a wild story in the Bible where God gives King David, king of Israel, the choice between three different severe consequences for his sin. Each consequence is devastating for the people of Israel, and God makes David choose which one will happen. There are multiple unique messages in this account from 2 Samuel 24, but the main message is clear: sin always has devastating consequences for you and the ones you have charge over.
I have witnessed some examples of this cause and effect… When a pastor falls into sexual immorality, it destroys his own soul, but also his family and the community he is connected with. When a husband/father lies about his families financial situation, he darkens and drains his own soul, but also darkens the light in his marriage and destroys the trust necessary to make family thrive. When a youth uses an illegal substance or abuses a legal one, it diminishes his own soul, but also opens a door for demonic influence which will affect everyone he is connected to.
When it comes to abortion, the connection between sin and consequence is a little bit different. Abortion is not the sin which causes the consequence of an unwanted pregnancy. Sexual immorality is usually the cause. Abortion has been created to try and eliminate the consequence of the sin. No one gets pregnant so they can have an abortion as if having an abortion is some desirable thing. Yet, last year in America, there were 630,000 decisions to get rid of the consequence of sexual activity through abortion (Statista Research Department, 2022).
Though I am sure some of these were very complex and heart-wrenching situations, I am sure the vast majority of these were attempts from a man and woman to avoid the consequences of their sin. They chose to do what seemed right in their own eyes and unleashed unintended and unwanted consequences for themselves, for their unborn baby, and for all those affected by their decision. This is a very grievous thing.
When doctors found out my second daughter would be born with Spina Bfida, they definitely encouraged my wife and I to get an abortion. The pregnancy was not unwanted or unintended, but the diagnosis was unwanted and heartbreaking. I didn’t quite realize what they were saying until I saw my wife, Brit, looking at the doctor with steel and daggers in her eyes. Brit was not going to do what seemed right in the eyes of a doctor, what seemed right in the eyes of this world’s economy. She told the doctor we would not be terminating the pregnancy. She was declaring, “as for me and my house we will do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.” She chose to trust the Lord with whatever would come. Since then, life has been very hard at times, but it has been oh-so-good all the time.
So, what am I trying to get across in all these words?
First, God knows what He’s doing. God sees everything perfectly. Doing what is right in the Lord’s eyes is always right. Doing what is right in our own eyes is only right when it is in line with what is right in God’s eyes. But, like a broken clock, we have a hard time being right most of the time
Second, when the consequences come from doing what is right in our own eyes, we should not try to avoid them. Avoiding consequences is ultimately impossible. And trying to avoid consequences actually increases the consequences. The best thing to do is face the consequences. By doing so, you put yourself in the Lord’s hands. Like David said in 2 Samuel 24:14, “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great…” And when the consequences come, remember what Micah says in Micah 7:9: “I will be patient as the Lord punishes me for the wrongs I’ve done against Him. Then after that, He’ll take my cause and bring me to light and to justice for all I have suffered.”
I pray you and I will trust the Lord and be sons and daughters who do not despise His discipline.
David
P.S. What I have written here is to affirm the truth of God’s words and to help us heed the warnings of God’s words. If you are someone who is in the midst of sin or have been avoiding consequences for some time, I want to bring up some of God’s other words. He really does love you and have a plan to get you to green pastures and still waters no matter what you have done against Him, yourself, or others. There is no sin God is not eager and willing to forgive.
I would be happy to connect you with someone who could help you navigate your situation if you would like some help, especially if you are considering an abortion.