A Distorted View Of Liberty

So... processing the news out of North Dakota. A district judge there just struck down the state's abortion ban, claiming that the right to end the life of an unborn child is somehow protected by the state constitution. The judge based this on an incredibly twisted interpretation of constitutional rights like "life and liberty." Since when does liberty include the ability to deny RIGHT TO LIFE  of another human being?

District Judge Bruce Romanick

It's heartbreaking to see this same story play out again and again. 

Courts in 10 other states have done the same thing somehow discovering these previously unknown "rights" to abortion. These judges are undermining the will of the people and the sanctity of human life, all under the guise of peoples autonomy, talk about activism from the bench.

But the situation is even worse next door in my home state of Minnesota. 

Our state Supreme Court has recognized a constitutional right to abortion since way back in 1995. And now, thanks to a law passed by pro-abortion politicians and signed by VP candidate TIM WALZ last year, there are zero restrictions on when abortions can be performed in Minnesota. This is abortion on demand up until the moment of birth. It's unfathomable and abhorrent.

Vice Presidential Nominee Tim Walz

Now before people jump on, "it's only 1% of abortions that happen after 21 weeks" the fact is that there were according to NPR over 1 million abortions performed last year...so open your calculator app and you'll see that's 10k viable HUMAN BEINGS murdered in the womb. 

The Fundamental Right to Life

As Christians, we know that life begins at conception and is a precious gift from God. Every single life, no matter how small, bears His image and has inherent dignity and worth. Abortion is a grievous offense against our Creator.

The other side wants to enshrine in law a right to destroy life based on a distorted notion of personal liberty. But what about the liberty of the unborn child? They are endowed by God with the most fundamental right of all - the right to life itself. We cannot allow that to be taken away based on the whims of another person.

Seeking God's Will

Processing news like this, it's easy to feel angry or discouraged. But we have to remember that our hope is not in earthly judges or human laws, but in Christ alone. These are a stark reminder of the fallen world we live in and the spiritual battle raging around us.

As overwhelming as it seems, we have to keep fighting to defend life. God calls us to be a voice for the voiceless and to seek justice for the oppressed. That starts with getting on our knees in prayer, repenting for how we as the Church have failed to uphold the dignity of life, and asking God to move in the hearts of our nation.

We also have to look for opportunities to share the hope and healing found in Christ. So many women turn to abortion because they feel they have no other choice. The Gospel is the ultimate answer - the truth that every life is valuable because every person is loved by God and created for a purpose.

As I pray through all of this, I keep coming back to Psalm 139:13-14: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." This is the lens we must view the abortion issue through. I'm holding onto that truth extra tight this week. Will you join me in praying for eyes to see as God sees?

Standing for life and clinging to HIS grace,

Manuel