Since the medical practice of abortion was legalized in this country in 1973, literally millions of women have undergone the procedure to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Depending upon who you talk to, the legalization of this particular surgery is either a landmark victory for the rights of women in the country, or the greatest sign of the immorality and decay of our nation.
There is very little gray area regarding this procedure, and rightfully so. Your perceptions regarding abortion depend mainly upon one simple question, Is abortion murder? If you believe it to be murder, then there is absolutely no justification for abortion. If you believe it to be a medical procedure that results in the simple removal of fetal tissue, then you have no more qualms at the practice than you would the removal of your appendix.
The question, Is abortion murder?, hinges upon another fundamental question. Is the fetus, prior to birth, a living child? Is it simply fetal tissue, or is the fetus a living child? A person? Opinions obviously vary. For the Christian the added, and primarily important consideration is, what does the Bible say? If God, through His inspired word reveals that the fetus is a child, then the question is answered for all believers. Recognizing that the Bible is not a scientific textbook, we find nevertheless that it does clearly settle for us the question, is the fetus a living child? And, by extension, answers the question, is abortion murder? The Bible then, settles the question. Notice what it has to say.
Exodus 21:22-23, “If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. {23} “But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life.”
Notice especially verse 23. The text clearly is teaching that if the mother or child die as a result of the harm done to the mother, then the perpetrator is worthy of death. God recognized that killing a fetus is murder!
Other passages clearly teach that the fetus is a child. For example, the Psalmist, in very beautiful language, affirms his life and personhood in the womb. He states, in Psalm 139, verses 13 and 14, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
Finally, the New Testament reveals God’s understanding of this matter. When Mary visited Martha, prior to the birth of our Savior, Luke records for us the event in these words, “And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit “, Luke 1:41. Clearly, John the Baptist, at that time unborn, was considered to be a living being in the womb of Martha.
For the Christian there is no room for compromise. God considers abortion murder, and sinful, and a Christian must have no part in such ungodliness!
