The Gospel in an Abortion Culture
— Thursday, January 19th, 2012 —
As the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision approaches, most Christians recognize, and rightly so, the loss of millions of unborn human lives. What we often forget is the second casualty of an abortion culture: the consciences of countless men and women.
Too often, pastors and church leaders assume that, when talking about abortion, their invisible debating partner is the “pro-choice” television commentator or politician. Not so. Many of the people endangered by the abortion culture aren’t even pro-choice.
In your congregation this Sunday, and in the neighborhoods around you right now, there are women vulnerable to abortionist propaganda, not because they reject the church but because they’re afraid they ‘ll lose the church. Pregnant young women are scared they will scandalize church people when they start to show, so they keep it secret. Parents are fearful their pregnant daughter, or their son’s pregnant girlfriend, will prompt the rest of the congregation to see them as bad families.
As they keep all of this secret from the Body of Christ, many of them fall prey to the false gospel of the abortion clinic. “We can take care of this for you,” these people say. “And it will all go away.”
Moreover, there are thousands of men and women in our churches who have aborted their children, or urged the abortion of their grandchildren. Bearing the shame of this, they keep it secret. And in the concealment, the satanic powers accuse them: “We know who you are; you’re a murderer, like us.”
Every time pastors and church leaders speak, they are speaking, at least potentially, to these men and women, the aborting and the abortionists. Many of these people don’t argue that the “fetus” is a “person.” Their consciences testify to that, and they’re either tortured by this or violently trying to sear over that persistent internal message.
The answer, for the church, is to preach the gospel to the conscience.
For many evangelicals, to “preach the gospel” seems to be obvious and ineffective because they think this means to, by rote, prompt people to accept Jesus and go to heaven. But the gospel speaks right where the abortion culture is in slavery, to the conscience.
For one thing, those guilty of this silent atrocity often don’t think we’re talking to them. For some, the demonic structures have helped them to conceal this secret, and to convince them the safest thing to do is to try to forget it altogether. Others are so burdened down by guilt, they really don’t believe they are included in the “whosoever will” of our gospel invitations.
Speak directly to these people. To the woman who has had the abortion. To the man who has paid for an abortion. To the health care worker who has profited off of tearing apart the bodies of the young and the consciences of their parents.
Speak clearly of the horror of judgement to come. Confirm what every accusing conscience already knows: clinic privacy laws cannot keep all this from being exposed at the tribunal of Christ. When the Light shines, there’s not enough darkness in which to hide and cringe.
But don’t stop there.
Proclaim just as openly that judgment has fallen on the quivering body of a crucified Jesus—accused by Satan, indicted by the Law, enveloped by the curse.
An abortion culture knows that hell exists, and they know judgment waits (Rom 2:14-16). Agree with them, but point them to the truth that God is not simply willing to forgive them. Show them how in Christ God is both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Rom 3:26).
The woman who has had the abortion needs to know that, if she is hidden in Christ, God does not see her as “that woman who had the abortion.” He hasn’t been subverted from sending her to hell because she found a gospel “loophole.” In Christ, she’s already been to hell.
And, in the resurrected Christ, God has already told her what he thinks of her: “You are my beloved child and in you I am well-pleased.”
The consciences around us don’t believe what they’re telling themselves. They’re scared and accused. Shine the light in the eyes of their consciences. Prophetically. All for justice, legally and culturally, for the unborn. But don’t stop there.
After all, the spirit of murder doesn’t start or end in the abortion clinic (Matt. 5:21, 15:19; Jn. 8:44; Acts 9:1; Rom. 1:29; Jn. 3:15). And the blood of Christ has cleansed the consciences of rebels like all of us.
Warn of hell, but offer mercy. Offer that mercy not only at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but in the small groups and hallways of your church.
24 Responses to “The Gospel in an Abortion Culture”
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Thanks so much, Dr. Moore. I’m preaching on this topic this upcoming Sunday for the very first time and I think I may have forgotten about speaking to the heavy consciences of those who have participated in this or been affected by this in the past. This will greatly help my sermon!
As usual an insightful, provocative, prophetic article. Thanks for addressing this issue with so much honesty and compassion. May preachers take this to heart and preach both God’s righteous judgment and his amazing grace.
Matt Woodley, PreachingToday.com
You seem to be trying to guilt-trip Christians for not helping young women who get pregnant out of wedlock, thereby “driving” them to hide their pregnancy and abort. It’s funny, but I have Christian friends even right in my own town who work hard at a crisis pregnancy center right across the street from the abortion clinic.
Guilt-tripping is not one of my favorite things. To say the least.
@yankeegospelgirl, are you trying to guilt trip someone for guilt tripping . . . it’s a little inconsistent. Also, Dr. Moore is simply applying the Gospel to a sensitive issue. The Gospel is not simply abstract truths that hit believers in the ears, but it moves them to take action.
@yankeegospelgirl,
I did not take it as a guilt trip blog entry. He is simply reminding pastors, sunday school teachers, and small group leaders that their are people among us who are guilty of having an abortion, they need to be convicted of sin, but they also need to be shown the mercy of God.
These women and unborn children are made in the image and likeness of God. Sadly, many women are tricked by abortion clinics into believing that their unborn child is simply a “blob of tissue”. It is remarkable how quickly and distinctly a child forms within the womb. The best way to educate people about an unborn human life is by continually teaching & preaching about our spiritual identity, the value of human life, and the intricacies of our inception as found in Psalm 139 and elsewhere throughout the Scriptures. For women who have already had an abortion, we should do as Jesus did; offer loving forgiveness, mercy, and grace while helping these women to walk victoriously into their futures and God-ordained destinies. As the author mentioned, people’s consciences already testify to their wrongdoing. We do not need to condemn people but rather lovingly teach them the truth about God’s holiness and His jealous affection for us to also be holy and so in love with Him that we do not sin because of law, but because of our fierce devotion to our Heavenly Father who so graciously gave us life and the chance to live for Him.
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” Psalm 139:13-14 NLT
pastor moore may GOD bless u an strengthing u i know wth dis topic those who do de abortion wil stop thank u veri much an may GOD continue 2 gve u de word GOD is abt 2 do somethin different in ur lyf believe me it wil all come 2 past stay bless
So so so true.
This is so vital.
Many people don’t know how to offer mercy because offering mercy looks like you are condoning the behavior. This is what I used to think.
Now, I’m wondering, how do I offer mercy? How does it begin?
And I don’t think the answer is prayer. I think we need to pray for these hurting people; pray for compassion and understanding and for the peace of God to flood their souls.
But how do we offer it? How do we become Jesus’ hands and feet?
That was a great reminder. Thanks for the wise counsel.
This is one of the best pieces I’ve ever read about abortion and how the gospel applies. I’m someone who has had an abortion, experienced the forgiveness and healing of Christ, worked five years in a CPC and watched Christian girls come in who planned to abort rather than shame their families. Also many many girls who couldn’t face pregnancy and delivery only to let that child go to an adoptive home, so they chose abortion. After I married we were unable to have children, but were able to adopt twice. Our children are teenagers now, the light of my life. Birthmothers who are able to release their babies for adoption have faith and love that I cannot comprehend. They are heros and mothers in a way that Solomon would have recognized. Abortion is an evil and heinous sin, and it’s not a guilt trip to call it what it is. You can’t heal until you face it in all of its ugliness. But God, who is rich in mercy, lavishes his grace upon the repentant, filling the heart with joy and thankfulness that cannot be fully expressed. Thank you Dr. Moore for this, and for your beautiful book Adopted for Life. You are an amazing writer who challenges and encourages me every time.
Thank you for writing a post on abortion that exhorts us to proclaim the gospel rather than a myopic exhortation towards political action. I am convinced that many evangelicals have no idea how to proclaim the gospel to the conscience, in regards to abortion, because all they hear from their local church pulpits is political drivel. We need more evangelical leaders to do what you have done here; to incite the church towards living and proclaiming the gospel.