Is Abortion An Election Issue?
by Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, LFL Executive Director
“I could never vote for anyone who favors the
destruction of innocent life in the womb,” Sam stated bluntly. Fred replied,
“I’m opposed to abortion as much as you are, Sam, but there are other issues
you know.”
Sincere and well meaning Christians who oppose
abortion too often speak of it as if it were on a par with tax cuts,
Medicare, or Social Security. There are many “Freds” out there. Maybe you
know a “Fred.” Maybe you are a “Fred”! You want to be fair-minded, and you
do not want to be labeled a “one issue” voter.
If you really think about it, abortion is more than an
“election issue.”
God speaks to some of the political issues of our day
but in a way that gives the Christian plenty of “wiggle” room. For example,
God speaks about taxes. He tells us to give to “Caesar” what is his.
However, He does not talk about tax structures or the IRS. Therefore,
Christians may debate about how much they think “Caesar” should be taking or
about how he should be taking it.
God speaks about salvation but not about how to save
the Social Security system. Therefore, Christians may debate about the pros
and cons of privatization.
God speaks about caring for the elderly but not about
Medicare. Therefore, Christians may debate about the best way to help the
elderly pay for prescriptions.
God speaks differently, however, about destroying
innocent human life, and there is no “wiggle” room. He says: “You shall not
murder.”
We must not forget what abortion is. All the rhetoric
surrounding abortion has deceptively blinded us to the truth. We hear it
described as a “right,” a “choice,” or a “medical procedure.” It becomes too
easy – even for the Christian – to see abortion as just another one of those
“election issues.”
Think about it! What is a candidate who supports
abortion rights really supporting? Abortion is not on a par with a woman’s
right to equal employment and equal pay.
Let’s be honest.
The candidate who supports abortion rights supports a
woman’s right to have her innocent child murdered. Abortion is not just an
“election issue.” Abortion is a grave sin. Abortion assaults God’s Word of
truth about the sanctity of human life and, therefore, assaults the Word
Himself Who became flesh that we might have life. Abortion is a sin against
God Who is the Author and Redeemer of life. Abortion is not an “election
issue.” Because abortion destroys human life, it is a spiritual issue.
Not only does abortion kill a child, it forever wounds
a woman. Although she may at first feel a sense of relief that her “problem”
has been solved, eventually the reality of this unnatural choice sinks in.
When it does, the guilt and shame can be devastating. This awful reality can
bring the same devastation to fathers, grandparents, and siblings. Abortion
is not an “election issue.” Because abortion can destroy relationships
within families as well as between God and an individual, it is a spiritual
issue.
Therefore . . .
. . . a Christian cannot debate the pros and cons of
abortion any more than he can debate the pros and cons of rape or stealing
or adultery. Abortion cannot be a “right” for, in God’s sight, it is a
fundamental wrong.
It is such a fundamental wrong that, when it comes to
voting, a candidate’s stance on the issues is irrelevant if he or she favors
abortion. A vote is not a passive act. The voter participates in promoting
the agenda of the candidate in an intentional action. A candidate who favors
abortion should be disqualified from receiving a Christian’s vote.
Regardless of what our government deems legal, when it
comes to abortion, “We must obey God rather than man.” Those who have been
called in grace and adopted as God’s children through the merits of Jesus
Christ should not sanction the destruction of preborn children.
A vote for a pro-abortion candidate implicates the
voter in the destruction of children created by God and for whom Jesus died.
Christians must certainly use caution when it comes to
political involvement. A congregation has no business preaching about tax
credits or campaign finance reform and advising its members where they
should stand on these kinds of issues.
However, the Body of Christ is compelled to defend
the cause of the weak and needy (Psalm 83:3-4). The Church is compelled to “speak up for
those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8 NIV) and to expose the “fruitless deeds of
darkness” (Ephesians 5:11 NIV). When a candidate for a government office promotes the sin of
abortion, God’s people must take action to oppose this sin and defend those
affected by it.
The Church is compelled not just to expose the deeds
of darkness but also to be a light to those trapped by the deeds of
darkness. The Church’s Gospel message of forgiveness is the only source of
true hope and healing needed by those struggling with an abortion decision.
Abortion is an atrocity that takes the lives of over
3,000 children every day. Abortion is an atrocity that wounds women and
destroys relationships. To be in favor of such an atrocity is symptomatic of
a certain moral view of life that has broader implications as well. What
kind of morality do we want in our leaders who will be making decisions
about human embryo research, genetic manipulation, cloning, assisted
suicide, and euthanasia? The redeemed people of God are compelled to take
action in favor of a morality that reflects God’s love for life as
exemplified on the cross of His Son, Jesus Christ.
There is a little “Fred” in all of us. No one wants to
be a “one issue” voter. But abortion is not an “election issue.”
Abortion is a spiritual issue.
Abortion is a sin.
The Christian should not vote for the sin of abortion.
The Christian should vote for life and be a messenger
of life.
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