Last night, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, sponsored by Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE). This important piece of legislation that would protect babies that are born alive from a failed abortion attempt. Current federal law does not adequately protect those precious babies.
The issue of abortion is one that every Christian must care about – it’s a matter of life and death, and most importantly, it’s a matter that’s close to the heart of God. Our Father cares about the vulnerable, and so must we. Every day, there are an estimated 3,000 abortions that take place in the United States. Allow that number to sink in.
Woven into the fabric of Scripture is the truth that every person bears the imago dei – the image of God. (Genesis 1:26-27) The Bible clearly teaches that life begins at conception, and that God is intimately involved in a person’s life, beginning with conception.
Listen to the intimacy in these verses –
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16
The tenderness that God has for every single precious life that’s conceive is tangible in those verses, and should propel our desire to defend and protect life. As Christians, we have the privilege of speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. God’s heart beats for the vulnerable, and our work on earth should reflect what He cares about.
Below are a few suggestions for how every Christian can practically get involved in caring for the vulnerable.
1. Develop a Robust Pro-life Ethic
The first thing that comes to mind when pro-life issues are highlighted is an opposition to abortion. It’s important to understand that being developing a robust pro-life worldview is imperative. Only then will our work in other areas be seasoned with an understanding that everyone is created with innate dignity and worth. That worldview will revolutionize how we think about almost every other issue.
Below are a few categories I’d challenge Christians to incorporate a robust
pro-life ethic.
Children in foster care
Victims of human trafficking
Prisoners
People with disabilities
Refugees
Immigrants
2. Advocate
Government is a God-ordained institution, and Christians should care about the types of policies that the federal, state and local governments are producing. Western Christians have an incredible opportunity to get involved in advocating the government. We should avail ourselves of advocacy, because the most vulnerable among us, are the ones whose right are quickest to be taken away.
Advocacy doesn’t have to be intimidating or difficult. Reach out to your local Congressman’s district office and ask for a meeting with a staffer. Familiarize yourself with current pro-life legislation at the state and federal level. When you’re meeting with a government official or staffer, share why you’re pro-life, why it matters that they vote for pro-life policies, and piece of legislation you hope they’ll support. Don’t be afraid to share a personal story.
Remember that professionalism matters. How you choose to present yourself can either enhance or distract from the message. Aim to present yourself in a manner that represents you and your message well.
3. Pray
In of our efforts, may we not forget where our true strength and power lies – in regular pray with our Father. A part of our advocacy must be to lift up the unborn, the marginalized, and the vulnerable up in prayer. Martin Luther, the leader of the Reformation was infamous for the high value he placed on prayer.
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”
Brothers and sisters, may we be a people of prayer. May we commit to lifting up the vulnerable before our loving Father.
Pray for the unborn children.
Pray for women who are faced with difficult decisions.
Pray for the marginalized and the oppressed.
Pray for our legislators and lawmakers, that they will create and uphold pro-life policies.
Pray that the Church will be love and serve.
Christ changes everything, including how we view life. Resolve to educate yourself, advocate, and pray for the vulnerable people.
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