Ponderous Pondering

   This past week, a “leaked” document from the United States Supreme Court revealed a draft of Justice Samuel Alito’s opinion which if upheld by the court, could overturn the 1973 decision known as Roe vs. Wade. In that year, the SCOTUS ruled the constitution of the United States permits the right of women to abort their unborn child/children which is touted as a “health care issue.” Opponents of this ruling passionately believe this “legalizes the murder of the unborn,” declaring with Scriptural authority that life begins at conception. Christians are the most vocal regarding this matter, as they should be, and presently rejoice in the possibility of the court’s reversal of Roe vs. Wade. However, we Christians are not without our critics as several continue echoing the sentiments of the late Barry Goldwater: “Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible (expletive) problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.”

  Though I’m not an attorney, I do know God’s law supersedes all other laws, and therefore, for the Christian, obeying God comes first and foremost, and at times in opposition to the laws of man! It pleases me to note a recent news report stated more than thirty states presently have laws prohibiting abortions after the first nine weeks of pregnancy, and some more strictly state no abortion once the initial heartbeat of the child is audible. Only in extreme medical situations (and I’d have to seriously contemplate even those matters!) are abortions considered in such states. The presently debated opinion of Justice Alito, if approved by SCOTUS, would simply return the decision of abortion rights to the states instead of making it a federal decision: a decision that has remained controversial since its signing in 1973.

   But I have a ponderous pondering: What if mankind enforced the laws already existent and refused to compromise the punishment for breaking such laws; would not this eliminate the debate over abortion? According to Wikipedia, only fourteen states continue to have laws prohibiting same-sex marriages, adultery, and fornication; and those states forbidding adultery or fornication only rarely punish those who are found guilty. Those punishments range from a few hundred dollars fine and thirty days in jail to several thousand dollars in fine, and up to ten years imprisonment, possible for both parties involved. But as I said, these sins are rarely charged let alone punished as per the state’s law. Therefore, few are afraid of any reprisal for such sinful behavior. Further, if pregnancy results from such a sin (it cannot result from homosexuality) abortion is legal in most states. Only when God’s law regarding marriage is enforced will there be an understanding of respect for life, both spiritual and physical!

   “Accidental pregnancies” are a myth in nearly every imaginable case. Perhaps rape would be the lone exception since no caring woman would desire such violence. There are and need to be extreme penalties for rape, whether precipitated by a man or woman. But again, those penalties are rarely administered by the officials that could impose them. Even in these cases, the conception of life is not the fault of the babe and is certainly not worthy of the punishment of death! As God adopts us (Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5; et al) there are multitudes of parents wishing to adopt children! I hold in remarkably high esteem those parents whose hearts are large enough to adopt children! Again, wouldn’t it be much more simplistic, and much more righteous to obey the law of God in the first place?

   Scripturally, there is no such thing as “pre-marital” or “extra-marital” sex. Those are manmade words to lessen the ugliness of God-give words describing the sins of adultery and fornication. “Experimental sex” is another phrase that originated in the minds of men and women intent on doing what God said much not be done outside the confines of the Godly union of marriage! We Christians need to take the time to seriously discuss these topics with our children long before their hormones start raging and they find themselves in danger of sinning in such a way as to ruin not only their lives but their souls! Difficult? No, not any more difficult than talking to them about their need to obey the gospel! It’s all part of being faithful to God in all you say and do! Saying, “NO!” to someone wanting to satisfy a wanton desire of the flesh isn’t sin … it’s righteousness. Read and discuss with them the biblical story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39.) Joseph said to Potiphar’s wife, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (vs. 9) Read to them of King David and his sin with Bathsheba. God took that child (it was NOT abortion!) as the penalty for their sin! (2 Samuel 12). Take the time to explain sin always has consequences and will always leave a scar! Be the parent who cares enough about your child that you teach them how to avoid sin! Be the parent that teaches your child that while we do sin, we need not sin willfully (Hebrews 10:26-27). Teach them that when we do sin, we Christians have an Advocate with the Father (1 John 2: 1- 3) who pleads our case before Jehovah, and combined with our confession and repentance of sin (1 John 1:5 – 10), is faithful and just to forgive us (ibid.) We don’t need more of man’s laws in such matters: we need only to obey God in His law and we’ll be just fine!