A Human Rights Issue

I know this topic is controversial, and sadly our culture has become so toxic that reasonable debate is drowned out by histrionics and bigoted name calling. I refuse to engage in that.
Let me define my angle and audience.
Angle: Biblical. Audience: Christian.
If these terms “offend,” you can read other parts of the newspaper. While the Bible may not be the textbook that “leading experts” turn to, it is the Christian authority on all topics – even those that are considered “hot buttons.”
Abortion is a subject that causes people to jump into one of two camps – pro-life or pro-choice. When I say that if you profess to be a Christian, the side you can’t take is the one that supports abortion.
My wife and I had a baby four months ago. Her name is Willow Joy – a joy she is. Because of this miraculous experience, my conviction has intensified toward those who profess to be Christian and defend abortion.
Again, I am not addressing the non-believer because there is no expectation for them to follow God’s word. What I am shocked and appalled by is when the church or someone who wears the name Christian either supports abortion, or remains silent about it due to the fear of man.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
Looking into the innocent eyes of my daughter further spurs the conviction within me.
As our society amps up its death culture, I am compelled to expose abortion as an evil that needs to be confronted by the church, not indifferently ignored or silently accepted. Hopefully, my thoughts will challenge any professed believer of the danger of apathy.
I am somebody who recklessly took an innocent life because of a decision I made. I live with the pain and consequences of that atrocity.
With that in mind, I want to appeal to anyone who may have had an abortion and feels judged by the church – that is not Christ’s stance, nor is it Biblical. Our stance as followers of Christ is to “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).
As I received forgiveness from God, I hope to share that liberating grace with others. It is never too late to turn to God’s grace.
One final note: Believers need to stop living in fear, and begin to speak the truth in love. It is evil to kill children for any reason.
Science declares that it is a life that lives in the womb. This is a human rights issue, and as Christians, human rights should never conflict with what God says is right for humans.
The Word of God declares, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
“Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. In Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:13-16).”
God is the author and finisher of life. We are made in His image.
This is our current day human rights issue. What will you do with it?
ED. NOTE: Maher is the teaching pastor at Coastal Christian Ocean City and is president of Soldiers For Faith Ministries. Social media and website: @TruthOverTrend.