The Christian view on abortion

The greatest challenge that we are facing today is living in world with a failing economy. A world that has men who are not man enough to take responsibility and women who are not fully empowered or emancipated to be financially independent.

In that same world, the most expensive products in our shops are found on the aisle labeled “baby needs.” After looking at a pregnancy test result, I bet the first thought on the youngest minds of this generation is whether to keep it or not. 

A national survey commissioned by Care Net in or around 2015 recorded that “2 out of 5 women who had an abortion attended church at least once a month.” These women are Christians. What does God say about this? Let us find out. 

An abortion is without doubt not murder in the Republic of South Africa. Murder is the intentional killing of another human being. A human being has a right to life protected by our law unlike a fetus. (Christian Lawyers Association v Minister of Health 1998 (4) SA 1113) Does it mean that abortion is not a sin since it is not a crime?

The Bible does not mention the word abortion but talks in great detail about fetuses. Our law does not consider a fetus as a human but the Bible tells us that it is created and knitted together by God (Psalms 139:13 NIV) God knows and gives purpose to every fetus before it is born. (Jeremiah 1:5 | NIV)

Every pregnancy must be appreciated because, “children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” (Psalms 127:3 | NIV) A fetus just like the one of John the Baptist may be filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb. (1 Luke 1:15 | NIV) It is created by, and serves, the same God as every other Christian believer. (Job 31:15 | Psalms 22:10 | NIV) 

God is capable of creating nations in a womb.(Genesis 25:21-23 | NIV) It is not up to us to destroy his creation. God is the ultimate judge; it is his prerogative. Having an abortion is making a judgement on whether one should live or die. We all know that judgment should be reserved for God. Please do not be a god, do not judge. (Matthew 7:1 | NIV) Do not commit abortion. 

It is of no use crying over spilt milk. If you have done an abortion, it does not mean you have already secured a hot seat in hell. God is available to wash away your iniquity and cleanse you from your sin. (Psalms 51:2 | NIV) All you need to do is confess your sin to him and, as a faithful and just father, he will forgive you. (1 John 9:2 | NIV)

A piece of advice to the Christian believers who shun and condemn ladies that have had an abortion, please ask yourself whether or not you would have thrown the stone when Jesus Christ said “let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7 | NIV) If not, kindly carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 | NIV)

Please know that Jesus does not condemn you but he wants you to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11 | NIV) Go and abort no more.