Ever since the unfortunate and malicious leak from the Supreme Court back in May, many of us have been nervously waiting to see what comes next. We questioned whether the justices would walk back their initial decisions and whether they would even survive to make one. And if you’re like most people, the thought that Roe v. Wade would ever be overturned was never a possibility. On June 24, 2022, that became a reality.
“For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.” Psalm 139:13-14
“Do not murder.” Exodus 20:13
These are but two verses in Scripture that inform us Christians as to why abortion is always the wrong choice. Abortion is a sin committed against the unborn, and against God. Over the years, pro-abortion advocates have ventured from “safe and rare” to “my body my choice” since 1973 when the Supreme Court first upheld abortion as a constitutional right.
Sadly, some of our fellow Christians have likewise added to this the idea that what we do with our bodies is not just permissible but morally justified. Now, we’re left with a question. After today’s ruling, has our fight for the sake of the unborn finally concluded?
No. The Supreme Court’s ruling puts the onus of abortion and abortion restrictions back onto the states. While some places like Tennessee and Mississippi are moving toward banning abortion, other states like New York and California are likely to increase abortion access. Corporate companies are even including policies for “abortion tourism” where mothers will get paid to travel out of state and kill their child.
In short, today is a momentous occasion, worthy of celebrating, and one for the history books. However, the fight continues. As Christians, we should do our part to positively influence society and continue to help save the lives of the unborn. Here are 7 ways we can respond today as a Christian to the Overturning of Roe. V. Wade.
1. Give Thanks
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1
News of the Supreme Court ruling was a great start to many people’s Friday. And a great way for us to respond to the news is by giving thanks. The one most deserving of the praise is God. For starters, God has answered many of our prayers.
We’ve pleaded with Him to act on behalf of the unborn, to help us overcome unjust laws that have been set in place. God’s ways are no doubt a mystery, but when we witness a blessing like today, the only proper response is to say “thank you”. Whether by word, song, or dance, God is worthy of the praise.
After giving thanks to God, we need to identify the people in our community worthy of gratitude, those who have been advocating on behalf of the unborn. While many of us are pro-life, not all of us are on the frontlines. This includes pro-life organizations like American Life League, March for Life, 40 Days for Life, and to individuals who enter the arena of politics and debate around this topic.
2. Donate
All of the aforementioned organizations require money and other resources to operate. Today may be a huge milestone, but the work is not done. That means these organizations will continue to go out into the community advocating for babies and working to close abortion clinics. Some states may be moving to outright ban abortion, but not all. That means there are still unborn children who need help. They need individuals and groups willing to advocate for their rights.
3. Support the Parents
Part of the reason some support abortion is the argument that not everyone can afford to have a child. For most people though, the solution to this is abstaining from the consensual sex that society often encourages. If by chance a baby does happen, however, and money is scarce, mothers and fathers should be able to turn to the church for assistance. Raising funds as a church to help impoverished parents is a great way to show solidarity in Christ while honoring the life of the child. Financial stability also comes about by encouraging the parents to get married, depending on the situation. Two incomes are greater than one.
4. Adoption
The law may have changed today, but the hearts of many still don’t value the lives of unborn children. This means that more than likely, an increased number of children will be put up for adoption. A lot more. For married couples, this is an opportunity to serve those in need, especially for couples contending with infertility. For those who aren’t in a position to adopt, such as single folk, we should do our part to connect mothers to adoption when they would otherwise choose abortion.
5. Pray
“The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:19
There’s so much to pray for today. The safety of the Supreme Court justices, additional programming for adoption, and just the general direction of our country. And let’s not forget to pray for those who continue to support abortion. Both men and women alike have found reason to kill the unborn. Even members of our church have partaken in this belief. We can only do so much to influence the people around us, the rest is between them and God. But at the very least, we can pray.
6. Stay Safe
Rioting and vandalism occurred after the leaked court ruling was released to the public in May. Many expect the same to happen after today, and maybe even worse. Ideally, there will be no physical conflict, but we should do our part to ensure the safety of our family, neighbors, and churches. Check on one another from time to time and do what’s necessary to stay safe.
7. Keep Discussing Abortion
If today is a step in the right direction, tomorrow means there is more to do. Challenges to the abortion narrative led to a remarkable reversal of a law that many thought was set in stone. This is all the more reason to keep up with the discussion of abortion. Not everyone is convinced of the sin, but more can be. Are you comfortable having a conversation? Do you know how to respond to challenges? Take the time to ensure you’re ready for such a conversation. You never know when the topic may come up.
Abortion has not been eradicated, but we’ve moved in the right direction. The challenge we face now, especially living in a no longer Christian country, is helping others to understand the evils of this sin without defaulting to Scripture. That’s what the justices did when they ruled in a 6-3 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Sometimes that’s what we have to do when tackling the topic also.
Let’s share the gospel with those willing to hear. And for those looking for logic without faith, let’s be ready to answer when questioned.
Photo credit: Charles Eugene/Unsplash
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.