Abortion Steals From God

We talk about health, choice, life, freedom, and rights. We often talk about what belongs to us and what cannot, should not, and will not be stolen from us by politics, by right-winged extremists, by left-leaning liberals, or by the religious oligarchy.

But for those who belong to Christ, doesn’t all of that actually belong to Christ? Can I claim to have what is mine when what is mine isn’t mine because it belongs to Him? Any time we try and take what belongs to Him away from Him so that we can claim it as our own, haven’t we stolen from God?

Murder steals from God. Suicide steals from God. Fornication steals from God.Homosexuality steals from God. Greed steals from God. Anger steals from God. Drunkenness steals from God.Idolatry steals from God. Hatred steals from God. Fruitless and divisive arguments steal from God.

No matter whether we qualify them as big or little, all sins steal from God because they take us away from the God to whom we belong. They steal from God because they rob the potential of a life well-lived from Him. They take from God the chance to do good with our evil.

Abortion is a prime example. It steals from God. It steals a life from His service. It steals the potential of a future away from a God who shapes the future. It steals from God a chance to redeem a life. It takes an opportunity from God to show His glory.

Some argue that abortion is right when it solves the tragedy of rape. But God is the solution to rape because God can redeem that woman, man, and baby. The solution to rape is not to pretend the rape didn’t happen, nor is it to add more tragedy to the situation. We cannot solve a tragedy, but we can make the best of it as God works to turn it into something beautiful. God can do that if we let Him.

Some argue that abortion is right when there is a risk to the mother’s life. But God is our protector, our provider, and our problem-solver. It’s not within our power to save ourselves, even our own physical lives, especially if it involves ending another.

Some argue abortion is right when it solves generational poverty, but God is the only One who can solve generational poverty and often uses poverty to draw people to Himself. How often does Jesus speak of the riches of this world pulling people away from His Father? Cushioning our bank accounts is not worth abortion.

Some argue that abortion is right because it allows a woman to control her body. But none of us have true control over our bodies. Disease and death await us all. A baby is not a disease. A baby is not a problem to be solved, and if it were, we should trust in God, who knows our bodies better than we do. We hear a lot about, “My body, my choice.” But if you belong to God, doesn’t your body belong to Him too?

There will be many debates in the coming months about abortion due to recently leaked documents. We will find ourselves tempted to debate vehemently, to make this the single most significant issue of our day. Let me encourage both sides of the philosophical aisle to step back, calm down, and think from a different perspective.

What I am belongs to God. Who I am belongs to God. What I do belongs to God. How I treat others belongs to God. Let me not be so haughty to think that my opinion is any better than another person’s opinion, and let me lose sight of the truth of God’s truth, which teaches that I belong to Him. Let me also be cautious about declaring “truths” that aren’t His truth and demanding rights that aren’t mine to demand. All of me belongs to God therefore all of me must display His truth, including trusting Him with my future and not taking His matters into my hands.

I know some will write me off because of this. I know some will disagree viciously. I know some will say I cannot understand because I’m a white male, and therefore have no right to speak in this debate. Maybe I don’t, but God does. Some go so far as to argue this is a “man vs. woman” debate, but it’s not. It’s a “mankind vs. God” debate. God knows the truth, God knows your truth, and God knows what is best for you. When we try and take that away from Him, we steal His rights.

Let us stop stealing from God with sin, whatever the sin, and give ourselves to Him wholly.

“The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord; for He laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers” (Psalm 24.1-2).