No Business Blessing the Business of Death

Some actions are wrong – absolutely wrong.

It’s wrong to hail the discovery of “life” on Mars as we celebrate the destruction of human life in the womb. It’s wrong to decry cruelty to pets or the hunting of wild animals and yet stand on the steps of an establishment devoted to ending human life and pray God’s blessing upon it.

God doesn’t bless abortion. Destroying life in the womb is wrong. God loves the soul whose life is cut short and He loves the ones who choose to end it but the act is wrong. The important choices, the ones unpopular to discuss, are the ones that lead up to that child’s conception, not just the one that leads to her death.

Men and women make countless choices leading to a child’s conception and no one makes the decision to abort in a vacuum. Some women choose abortion on principle or for selfish reasons. Others are pressured into abortions by abusive men or controlling parents. Some are abandoned by all who might support her and so, feel abortion is their only option. Think of all the choices being made before all choice is removed from that unborn child.

God forgives those who repent, not because it’s no crime to kill but because Jesus hung on a cross to purchase forgiveness for those who kill and for those who profit from killing. Hypocrisy, judgement, arrogance, and pride are also wrong. However, their prevalence in people who call themselves Christians does not make abortion right. We don’t atone for one sin by approving of another. Furthermore, it’s not courage that blesses abortion, it’s pandering. It’s the worst kind of deception, a lie clothed in church robes.

Americans usually love being prepared. Long-range weather forecasts. Hurricane and earthquake kits. Survival bunkers. Fire drills. It’s as if we inherited from our forefathers and mothers an inner urgency to hunker down, ready for any storm. So it surprises me how many of us aren’t preparing for what is clearly coming. We resist every test and trial God sends to strengthen one of the most important muscles we’ll need in these days to come. That muscle is courage.

COURAGE: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.

What passes as courage these days is a watered-down brew of the actual stuff required to stand alone in front of Communist tanks, risk years of separation from loved ones in a Siberian work camp, or stare-down hungry lions. We pampered few think it takes courage to mention our church at work, to tell a friend that adultery is wrong even if she’s “really in love,” or to not drink at the family party even though our siblings will mock. Those actions take an everyday commitment to truth. They take nerve, gumption, and a certain chutzpah but surely, courage is weighed on a greater scale.

In other countries, to choose to be a Christian means economic suicide. It means risking your children’s education and opportunities for betterment. It means possible physical harm, loss of property, imprisonment, or death. Courage for these believers is about facing more than disapproval, discomfort, or loss of social standing. Speaking up about Christ at the office or voicing moral concerns to friends are acts to be commended and encouraged. These are acts that build the muscles for courage but let us not set the bar too low for such a mighty virtue lest we fall short when the task requires greater heart.

Courage comes from a godly heart because it is the fruit of properly placed affections. God says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” I John 4:18 and “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” I Corinthians 16:13-14

Love is a prerequisite for courage. Consider that. Lack of love leads to cowardice.

One of the most haunting stories in history is Kublai Khan charged Marco Polo to bring priests to teach his people about the Christian God. Only two priests volunteered. Somewhere in the mountains, those priests lost heart – their courage failed them – and they turned back. Who knows what history would have been written had they forged on – fueled by love of Christ and love for the people of a wild, unknown kingdom?

What made men of God so soft, so addicted to comfort, so afraid? Perhaps, years in the courts at Rome hadn’t prepared them to exercise true courage. This should be a caution to us.

Are we raising a generation of believers rooted in love with courage that rises to the true definition and to the dangers yet to come? Or are we plumping the pillows on our children’s pews and checking to see that they’re comfortable while they await the coming destruction?

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” William Shedd

When was the last time your ship set out to sea?

No Business Blessing the Business of Death http://t.co/ztal2kn1MJ Is there a blessing for #abortion #blessingabortion #Cleveland #faith

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) October 14, 2015