World Unyielding

Meanings of names are typically lost these days. Oftentimes, we may even spot a case of a name being misapplied to a person. Such misapplication is found in the President of France. Emmanuel has the biblical meaning of ‘God with us,’ most truly applied to the God-man Christ Jesus who is to be praised forevermore. But as a betrayal to that same name, Emmanuel Macron has presided over a decision which demonstrates God is neither with him nor France. Approval of a bill to establish the constitutional right for a mother to kill her unborn child. Unloving and unmerciful beyond comprehension, but apparently it still qualifies as a right. An overwhelming majority in the French parliament threw their weight behind the bill, leading to widespread celebrations once it was passed. A country’s blessing given to a grievous act afforded to those driven by thirst for the blood of their own children.

It seems the French parliament was in a hurry to send a message of hope before International Women’s Day. A message pitched to us against the backdrop of panic across the Atlantic following the overturning of Roe versus Wade. But where is the hope for the unborn women of tomorrow? Human life is snuffed out at its earliest stages. Bundles of potential are cast aside. The loss of a baby is something to be mourned, right?

In England, those who are grieving the loss of a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy can now get a death certificate for the baby. A person must first be alive before they can die. A death certificate provides official acknowledgment of a baby’s existence. It demonstrates the God-given life and personhood of the unborn child. So why the confusion? Well, there seems to be an inconsistency here. Legally, a person can have an abortion before 24 weeks of pregnancy. In other words, a mother can end the life of her unborn child. Call it abortion, termination, ending a pregnancy. Whatever terminology is used, taking a child’s life remains just that.

How many parents would accept a death certificate of an aborted child whose death they requested? A piece of paper pricking the murderous minds of father and mother. Yet the annual death toll of murdered babies warrants more than a pile of death certificates ready for dispatch. It warrants criminal investigation on a monumental scale. Though parents may hide behind the unjust laws of the land, God will expose the depravity of abortion. He will frustrate the futile attempts to use national law to soothe the consciences of heartless people. The criminality of abortion will be upheld before His judgment seat.

People refuse to face the consequences of their actions. It’s a strange thing. A person gladly takes ownership of the poor decision they make, but they refuse to own the consequences. So many dabble in sexual relations outside of what God has prescribed for humanity. They enjoy the pleasure it brings. But a little while later, reality hits them hard. In a bid to escape the unwanted outcome, they survey the options the state affords them. Abortive techniques are employed to take the child’s life in the womb. They despise the marvelous work of God displayed in humanity, even at its most infantile stages. When God cares for a person, neither size nor dependency is a deciding factor. ‘For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.’ (Psalm 139:13) That is what each person testifies about God by reason of their very existence.

At your smallest embryonic state, you were you. God did not overlook you. At the first stages of growth, you were you. Even while God was still forming your internal organs. During your moments of dependency in your mother’s womb, you were you. A distinct person in need of tender motherly care as God has designed. Safe in the enclosure of your mother’s womb and awaiting birth into the open air, you were you. Reading this today, you prove yourself to be one who escaped the enactment of what is now accepted as a fundamental freedom and a human right. The freedom to kill an unborn child and the right to immunity from prosecution.

What possesses a person to shed the blood of innocent babes? What bewitches an entire nation to praise women’s guaranteed freedom to end another person’s life? Fierce self-preservation at the expense of an innocent and unwilling party that is left without a voice. Silent cries as they are torn from the womb, yet apparently the welfare of the unborn child is unimportant. Children used as pawns while politicians strategise to satisfy the flaming desires of vocal crowds, shouting, ‘My body, my choice.’ Self-preservation for political objectives. Even the most vehement abortion advocate can recognise this. But on a personal scale, on a case-by-case basis, are more trivial reasons used to justify killing the unborn? One complains, saying, ‘I forgot to use protection.’ Therefore, their child must die. Another complains, saying, ‘I cannot afford another child.’ Therefore, their child must die as if a mother is justified in withdrawing her consent and refusing her child access to her body. Such emotional detachment paves the way to murderous acts. God’s words speak of such times when people will be without natural affection. Few natural affections surpass that of a mother’s love for her child. Evidently, even that is in short supply today.

Be warned, innocent bloodshed returns on the heads of the guilty. God’s word warns all, saying, ‘Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days’ (Psalm 55:23). He will display His anger toward murderous hearts, both in this world and the next. Though many refuse to have compassion on the unborn persons, God has compassion. He sympathises, for God Himself took on human flesh. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, the divine person of Jesus Christ was contained within a virgin’s womb. From conception, this was the Son of God in human flesh. Personhood is not from 26 weeks as British law might imply, but it is from the start. Crooked lawmakers make crooked laws. A person may rightly object to some earthly laws. However, there is a holy lawmaker whose laws are faultless. There are no grounds for objection there. And God has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness. Continent by continent, nation by nation, people by people, family by family, person by person. He will judge by the Man whom He has appointed, Jesus Christ. We can be sure of this future reality, for Jesus was raised from the dead and He ascended into heaven.