Our modern culture is bound up in a web of lies, with the result that many people simply choose to ignore the issues that face us, either believing that they are too complicated for them to understand, or else believe that they are too far gone to make it worthwhile to fight against the prevailing cultural tidal waves.
Both of these options are not open to us as Christians, who test all things by the eternal and unchanging truth of God’s Holy Word.
In Jeremiah 14:14, the LORD GOD speaks to Jeremiah and says, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.”
Indeed, there are many who act as prophets today, who do not speak the truth of God, but give to the people a “lying vision,” based on the deceit of their own minds. Many of these voices come from those who walk the political halls of power, or many in universities and other public institutions—but even more sadly, many come from within Christendom itself. There are those who will not denounce abortion for what it is: the extinguishing of a human life—the life of a defenseless unborn baby.
Oh, yes, there are those who say that the Church is only called to preach the Gospel, to proclaim Christ. What Gospel is it that they preach, and what Christ is it that they proclaim? Certainly not the Gospel that announces forgiveness for sinners who have been convicted by the Law, or the Christ who says “Repent and believe,” or “Go and sin no more.” Certainly not the Christ who upholds His Father’s commandments as holy, including “You shall not murder.” Certainly not the Christ who Himself was an unborn baby who leapt in the womb of His mother Mary, and certainly not the Christ who says “Let the little children come to Me.”
We MUST stand up for the unborn, and for the sanctity of human life, including the mentally and physically-impaired, the aging, the frail, the dying.
We Are Christ-Bearers
We are Christians. We are Christ-bearers. We are forgiven, and we are called to speak and act and love and forgive, but always remember—we walk not in darkness but in the light of Jesus Christ. And this Jesus is the Lord of Life.
In Jeremiah 22:29, we see these words: “O land, land, land, hear the Word of the Lord!”
Jesus desires that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. He died on the cross for the sins of all. But it is by faith—graciously supplied by the working of the Holy Spirit—that we receive this precious gift of salvation. True faith begins with repentance, confessing our sins, and then eagerly receiving the plentiful fountain of forgiveness that flows from the Savior, given to us in Word and water and bread and wine.
So, shall we—the Church of God—be muzzled? No. Shall we be silent and uninterested as the holocaust of abortion continues? Never. Shall we just stand in the background as the false prophets, even those within the Church who refuse to take a stand for God’s gift of life, and continue to ignore the terrible bloodshed and harm that not only destroys babies, but also physically, emotionally, and spiritually harms the women and men involved in an abortion as well? How can we? They need the truth. They need Law and Gospel. They need to repent and they need the forgiveness of sins found in the Savior.
This is not an option. This is who we are as God’s holy and forgiven people. God’s Word cannot be bound. It must be proclaimed, taught, and confessed – in ALL of its truth and purity!
“O land, land, land, hear the Word of the Lord!”
God, grant us determination and endurance, as we speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Amen.
Photo (c) Lehman/Lightstock
David Geiger - August 31, 2021
Thank you Pastor Clark, for your words of encouragement & the promise if life eternal through faith in Jesus Christ and His never ending love for us.
It has helped me as a Bible study friend has been given 3 to 6 months with leukemia & a sister with diabetes & dementia, to focus on Jesus’s love for them & that eternal life awaits them . Brings joy to my heart.
Jeffrey B Walsh - August 31, 2021
Great article!
Wasn’t it John who lept in the womb of Elizabeth? (See Luke 1:44)
Heidi Joubert - September 16, 2021
Thank you for speaking for the defenseless babies. The church needs men and women to speak boldly. As a nation we need to repent and pray for mercy.