Sanctity of Human Life 2022

Isaiah 1:10–17 ESV

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. “When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday began in 1984 when then-President Ronald Reagan designated January 22 to be set aside to celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and commit to protecting human life at every stage – from conception to natural death. This date was selected because on January 22, 1973 – the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions were handed down by the United States Supreme Court, making abortion legal in all 50 states.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday continues to be recognized by churches on the third Sunday in January – and usually the Sunday closest to the date these court decisions were handed down. It is annually commemorated by thousands of individuals who want to stand for Life.

https://www.lpcenters.com/sanctity-of-human-life

According to a Life Way Research survey from 2015, 7 out of every 10 women who have an abortion identify as a Christian. God help us. The church has a lot of blood on our hands. If every woman who identifies as a Christian would choose life, then the abortion industry would no longer exist.

To make matters worse, 64% of these women do not feel the church is safe place to discuss their options.

We are a hospital not a courtroom.

Our churches as a whole, are so disconnected, that 76% of women who identified as Christians said their church or church members could not sway them one way or the other.

1 Peter 4:17 ESV

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

This article ends with a direction towards pastors

Perhaps without even realizing it, churches are speaking to women who will face an unexpected pregnancy, are currently deciding how to handle such a situation, or have had an abortion in their past. Because of this, pastors and church leaders must speak with care and clarity when they bring up the issue.

So let me speak with clarity and care by what Jesus spoke Himself:

John 8:4–5 ESV

they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”

They wanted to trap Jesus. Jesus bends down and starts writing in the ground. They keep pressuring Him and Jesus says. “Ok, Ok, you without sin, throw the first stone”. He bends down and writes again in the sand. One by one they all leave.

John 8:10–11 ESV

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Our responsibility is to lead people to the Master, then disciple, and then multiply. Jesus transcended the culture and the disciples turned the world upside down. We can and should do the same. One person can save a minimum of one life.

Mike’s mom’s name is Grace. Grace had raised four children. All were out of the house except for the youngest with lives of their own. The youngest was 17. Grace and her husband, Calvin, were looking forward to spending time together. Then, in her early 40’s, she found out she was pregnant. A majority of her friends pushed for her to have an abortion. She had already raised four children. No one had to know. She should think of herself and her own happiness.

Instead, she thought of her unborn child and chose life. On August 20th, 1973, Michael Shawn Anderson was born. He was born blue with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. He spent a significant portion of his childhood in the hospital due to allergy and induced pneumonia. God brought him through every one. There are so many people who have been touched by his life. When I walked out of the Celebration of Life service and saw so many people effected by his life, I thanked God once again that Grace Eloise Knutson Anderson choose life. She saved one life and affected the direction of so many.

Then there are those who save many children. Sir Nicholas Winton saved 669 children. In the nine months leading up to WWII, he organized a group to rescue 669 children, primarily Jewish children, out of Czechoslovakia. He was a banker and stockbroker from Great Britain born to Jewish parents who became Christian. Great Britain required 50 pounds each as a deposit and a verified foster home. Besides Sweden, no one else but Great Britain would take any children. These children’s parents all died at Auschwitz. On the eve of WWII, he had 250 more children ready to board the train and then war was declared and he could not get them out. All of the 250 children died except for two.

Nicholas did not speak of it often. One day his wife found the journal in the attic and gave it to a holocaust researcher. It made its way to the BBC television program “That’s Life”. Nicholas Winton was invited as an audience guest.

VIDEO

We can make a difference. We can save lives. We need to celebrate life.

If you are pregnant and contemplating abortion. There are options. Please contact the church. All life is redeemable

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.