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A Prayer and some Principles for Christians as the Supreme Court hears an abortion case

Today, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Just a cursory glance at the news today will bring you to any number of articles about the case. Here’s an article from Baptist Press that details what is going on today. And here is an excellent article by Nathan Finn for the Biblical Recorder on a Christian response about being pro-life.

My devotional reading today included Micah 6. In that powerful little prophetic book is one of the clearest expectations from God to his people. This verse provides some principles for thinking, praying, and acting in response to the many issues surrounding the case before the Supreme Court today.

He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

The Lord requires that we do justice. To do justice means that we treat people fairly and that we work to protect and defend those without the power to defend themselves. Biblical justice applies to abortion. I believe there are only two logical times when it could be argued that life occurs: at conception or at birth. Any other time is logically inconsistent. Because conception is a gift from the Lord (see Psalm 139:13), I believe that life occurs at conception. If so, Christians with a biblical worldview must conclude that taking the life of a baby in the womb is murder and breaks God’s commandment in Exodus 20:13. Thus, to do justice for the unborn is to provide protections for them using the law. It is right that followers of Jesus should pray that the Supreme Court would recognize the Roe v. Wade ruling as unconstitutional. It is right that we should take action pursuing justice for the defenseless.

The Lord requires that we love kindness. Kindness in Micah 6:8 is the Hebrew word hesed. It is a word full of meaning that reflects loyalty, kindness, and goodness. God’s people are to be good to others and faithful and loyal in our interactions with them. In some ways, this indicates the tone and attitude we should have. It is right and just that we should pray fervently and even seek passionately justice for the unborn. And yet our pursuit of righteous action should be governed by an attitude of loving-kindness. We can be right without be mad about being right. As God’s people we will interact with people on different sides of the political aisle. We will interact with mothers who have had abortions. We will have the opportunity to take the orphan and unexpected children into our homes. As fervently as we pray for and seek justice, we must also adopt an attitude of mercy and compassion for those who are broken and sinful. Our model here is Christ whose lovingkindness led him to the cross to experience justice on our behalf and to treat us with lovingkindness even in our sinful condition.

The Lord requires that we walk humbly with him. The more we see God and know God through his self-revelation in the Bible, the more we should be humble before him. He is great, glorious, and majestic. And even the lives we have and the opportunities we get to serve him are not about us. Our actions that seek justice and our attitudes that exhibit lovingkindness must flow from a relationship where we are walking humbly with the Lord.

So here are some ways we can apply Micah 6:8 to being pro-life:

  • Pray for the Supreme Court as they hear the oral arguments and rule on them in the coming year. Pray that the justices will act with biblical justice.
  • Be active in pursuing justice for the defenseless and broken by supporting a crisis pregnancy center or participating in a right to life campaign. Wilkes county commissioners recently adopted a resolution to be a county that will pursue legal means to end abortion.
  • Consider fostering or adoption. Being pro-life means that we should seek justice for the unborn as well as homes for the orphan and those in the foster care system.
  • Commit to being Christ-like in your attitude and demeanor. This issue is a hotly debated political topic. The rhetoric can be full of angst and anger. Let us be right not only in our position, but also our demeanor toward those with whom we may disagree.

Photo by Maria Oswalt on Unsplash

Advent Season

Advent season has begun. Many churches and Christians observe specific rituals and remembrances during advent season. Special candles are lit, and Scriptures are read. Some families have advent devotions. Some followers of Jesus will read through the advent accounts in the Gospels.

For many however, the theological implications of advent have been overshadowed by the commercialization of the Christmas holidays: Christmas movies that don’t contain any references to Christ; shopping and gift buying with only minimal interest in the needs of others; busyness and bustle that stretches and stresses us as the year wanes away.

Let me encourage you not to bind yourself to the commercialization of the Christmas season. Remember that Christmas is advent.

Advent means the arrival of someone notable or important.

When we discuss advent, we are not talking about your friends or family coming over for the holidays. Nor do we mean the jolly old Saint Nick arriving to leave presents at your house.

Advent means the arrival of the Christ-child. The arrival of the Christ-child more than 2000 years ago invites us to experience what is meaningful.

Advent is a time to reflect. Reflect on the Christ who came into the world. Make time for gathered worship at your church. Make time to read the Bible, especially the Gospels. Make time to think about the events of the Advent and especially the One who came.

Advent is a time to refocus. Refocus on the reason Christ came. Jesus did not arrive in the world to bring us presents and financial blessings. He is not a religious version of Santa Claus. Jesus is Lord, and as we are reminded in one of my favorite carols, Jesus was Lord at birth (“Silent Night”). Jesus did not come that we might sentimentalize the Christmas season. Jesus came with a ministry and a mission to serve, preach, and bring salvation. Advent is important because of Jesus’ passion and resurrection.

So as you focus on the Christ-child, remember that he grew up to be our substitute on Calvary’s cross.

Advent is a time to renew. Renew your commitment to Jesus Christ. Are you following Jesus? Or are you following your own way of life? Jesus did not come merely to save us. He came to remake us. Jesus doesn’t merely invite us to experience forgiveness. He invites us to experience regeneration. Jesus does not only call us to meet him. He calls us to follow him. Advent is a time to renew your commitment as a Christ-follower.

Here are some specific ways for you to renew your commitment to Christ this advent season:

  • Make time to read the advent stories and thank Jesus for coming. If you are not currently reading the Bible regularly, why don’t you begin December 1 by reading one chapter a day in the Gospel of Matthew or the Gospel of Luke. Or here is a link to an advent devotional by John Piper. For the first 25 days of December, thank God for one specific thing he has done for you because of advent.
  • Rekindle an old advent tradition or begin a new one. Make a meal (or cookies) for someone who is lonely. Buy Christmas gifts for a family in need (parents, have your children help with this and involve them in generosity). Go caroling. Embrace the joy of the shepherds who just had to tell what they had seen on that first Christmas night.
  • Be present at gathered worship. The pandemic has had a detrimental effect on church attendance. Sure, it is convenient to watch at home or to not go at all. But one way to renew your commitment to Christ is to make time to be in gathered worship. You need it, and your fellow church members need to see you there as well. Let your worship this advent season renew your faith in Jesus.
  • Invite others to meet Christ. Christmas traditions and trappings are beautiful. Enjoy your tree, the meals, the gatherings, and the presents. But never forget that Christmas would mean little without the cross. Jesus came to save not to make us sentimental. Give someone the greatest gift this season. Invite them to receive eternal life by following Jesus.

Above all, celebrate the Christ who came to bring us life.

Photo by KaLisa Veer on Unsplash