Many of us were encouraged to see the governor of Iowa this week sign a bill making abortion illegal past the point of hearing the baby’s heartbeat. This was no minor league win for those of us who feel abortion has become a major league problem. We wouldn’t bring a softball to a baseball game…. so we must arm ourselves properly for the fight ahead against the ACLU and others who will certainly try to stop this law from taking effect.
Many say fighting is not a Christian thing to do, yet we find ourselves in some kind of battle everyday. Christian or not, if you see people trying to destroy or change something or someone you love, are you not going to fight to save it or them? Fighting does not always involve name calling, physical use of fists or military weapons. This battle over abortion and many others need only the weapons all Christians should carry with them everywhere we go.
Romans 13:12 tells us: The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk honestly as in the day…. 14…put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ…
2 Cor. 6: 7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.
Ephesians 6: 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the firey darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance….
For too many years, we Christians have sat back and watched while laws were being made that took away many of our freedoms. Many have been critical of religious leaders such as Franklin Graham who often encourages Christians to run for public offices and to take an active interest in political issues. Many Christians don’t believe it is our place to get involved, so we remain silent.
Who was most against Jesus? It wasn’t the ordinary people but the government, law makers, scribes and…. yes, religious leaders of the time. The government then was not, as ours is, based on the teachings of Christ. His life, death and resurrection along with the determined work of those who followed Him led to the government we have today. Men, in their search for glory and recognition, have taken our laws and political offices way beyond what our founders intended or could have imagined them to be.
Not all of us can or should run for office, but there are many other ways to stand up and be counted when it comes to laws being passed and shaping the future of our government. Get to know the candidates who are running and vote for the ones you trust will do the best job of leading us in the right direction. We need more governors like the one in Iowa who are not afraid to voice their faith and base their decisions on it. We can write to our leaders who are already in office and encourage them to vote on issues of interest to us.
Most of all, we can pray. Pray for those making the decisions and passing the laws that God would lead them in the right direction. Pray for wisdom in our own choices and boldness to speak out when needed. Most important, we must seek the knowledge of God and search our own hearts. Romans 12: 9 Let love be without dissimulation, Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love…. 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
Choose your weapons according to God’s instruction and encourage other states to pass laws like this one in Iowa. Together we can win the battle and put an end to unnecessary abortions. Romans 11: 36 For of him and through him are all things: to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.
