Thought for the Month - March 2013

"Down with this sort of thing" by Barry Adair
(Careful now!)

Have you noticed the number of protests recently?

Whether it is to fly a flag, or to fly a 'fleg' or not fly a flag/fleg, or whatever… there have been no end to such protests. Now I'm not going to delve into any of the above as that would be an ecumenical matter (apologies to Father Ted!). All I would say is that I remain in favour of our democratic right to peaceful protest. However, there are a couple of issues which I feel are more "worthy" of protest and yet fewer people seem to remonstrate about these.

As I write this Thought, the UK Parliament has effectively voted to rewrite the rules of marriage. For thousands and thousands of years marriage has always been between a man and a woman. However, the present Parliament in London seems to know better. Although I have gay friends, I must protest that my government will allow single sex marriage, in direct opposition to the Bible, human nature and the concept of family. Unfortunately my own MP, a professing Christian, didn't agree with me when I wrote to her several months ago!

The other issue which raised its head recently in Northern Ireland was the issue of abortion. The first private abortion clinic opened its doors here in October 2012. The "Marie Stopes" centre is essentially a sexual health clinic but the disturbing part is that it will also perform "non-surgical terminations" by use of an abortion pill.

It has been estimated that worldwide between 50 million and 60 million unborn babies are now aborted every single year. As a figurative comparison, 11 million people died during the first World War and 6 million Jews died during the Holocaust as part of Hitler's "final solution".

I thought about the millions of healthy babies whose lives are terminated, all around the world. As a Christian I know that these were all tiny individuals, made in the very image of God. They were babies, not clumps of cells. While their mothers had a choice, their precious offspring were given no such choice and hence no chance.

The remarks below (and others very like them) come up many times if you search the Web for advice for those thinking of having an abortion.I quote from a 'best answer' on the "Yahoo Answers" website…

Remember that it is not a baby; it doesn't even have basic cognitive function. Don't get conned into thinking you're killing a baby, …what you have inside you is a group of stem cells being assigned to a new growth of YOUR BODY, if you do not want to have a baby then get an abortion before it does become a baby.

I believe that the Bible tells us something very different to the advice given above. We find out that we are known by God even before we are born and that the word used for 'baby' while in the womb is the very same word used for the 'baby' Jesus in the manger after He was born!

I am not naive enough to think that abortions are never going to happen. I also know that before abortion was legalised that there were numerous horrific back street abortions. I realise too that unplanned pregnancies will always be a fact of life. What I detest is the inference from some that abortion is merely another method of "family planning".

The Bible teaches that human life is different from other types of life, because it tells us that human beings are made in the very image of God. It describes children as a blessing and as a "gift from God". Killing of the innocent is condemned in Scripture and I can't think of anything more innocent than an unborn child!

As human beings we all sin and make some dreadful mistakes. We are all guilty before a holy and righteous Judge. But rather than damn us all to Hell (literally!), the 'Judge of all the earth' provided for us an atoning Substitute to satisfy the law. Jesus Christ, as our Substitute, took the punishment that our sin deserved on Calvary's cross. If we believe on Him, and only on Him for our salvation, we will escape the punishment that is due to us. It is a free gift; we merely have to accept it in faith, with humble repentance of our sinful position.

But like in the Father Ted photo, there is a "careful now" warning to give too. All those who do not accept this free gift of salvation will face the judgment of a holy and righteous Judge!

He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)

Jesus is the only 'final solution' to the question of sin. All our sins (both great and small) were dealt with on the cross at Calvary.

Thinking in spiritual terms, as in the rallying cry of the 'Pro Life' abortion lobby, let us all "choose life" today…

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies. (John 11:25)

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)

Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
(S. Townend)

Until next month then (DV)…

(All Bible quotations are from the NASB)

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!