A real savior for real sinners
While The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has gone on record dozens of times at its national conventions, opposing abortion with nearly unanimous votes, one of our greatest challenges is reaching our own people with the truth of God’s Word and the compassion of Jesus. The world presses its pragmatic lies. Quality of life. Potential disabilities. Likely mental illness. Limitations on the mother or parents. Who will raise such a child? And those lies are driven right into the hearts and minds of our LCMS people. (Please think about abortion while reading the account of Elizabeth’s visitation of Mary and the interchange where John the Baptizer leaps in Elizabeth’s womb at the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb [Luke 1:41].) Why are these lies so deceptive in our world, and even in the lives and minds of people who have been taught the opposite by the Word of God? “Did God actually say?” (Gen. 3:1) Satan asked Eve in the garden. . . .
For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. (Rom. 2:14–16)
The “law is written on their hearts.” You don’t have to be a Christian to realize killing unborn children is wrong. The conscience causes millions (126 million?) to continue to advocate abortion with few or no limitations. By that I mean, if the Supreme Court or politicians or popular culture or the nation supports abortion, the pangs of conscience over the sin of an abortion are soothed and buried and the act justified. “They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity” (Eph. 4:19).
Abortion will continue. The numbers have decreased since the Dobbs decision. But states like Illinois have been busy removing any and all impediments and inviting out-of-state abortion providers to locate in the state as surrounding states (like Missouri) have eliminated or restricted abortion.
We know a better way for burdened consciences. We know it because we confess it every week about ourselves. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (LSB, p. 151).
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The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison is president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. This article was first reprinted in and is printed in part here by permission of The Lutheran Witness.
Be Informed
Who suffers when Christian leaders capitulate on same-sex marriage? (Hint: It’s not adults.) Click here to discover the answer.
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Learn More About The Crisis Of Historical Ignorance In America With Tim Goeglein Of Focus On The Family In A Recent Issues, Etc. Podcast.
Be Encouraged
“When someone struggles with the overwhelming guilt of a past sin, like abortion, repentance and reconciliation are the only source of relief. There is hope! ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Through all our days, the Lord never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is a patient God, waiting and wanting all to come to repentance and be saved.”
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