Three Responses To the Reversal of Roe

I was one of those who doubted that Roe v Wade would ever be overturned. Last Friday’s Supreme Court Decision by a 6-3 majority proved me wrong. Thankfully.

In the past 10 ten years, ThePreachersWord has published  19 posts regarding the sin of abortion. While we’ve been focused on the Biblical teaching regarding the sanctity of life and the grave moral wrong of abortion, it’s worth noting some key sentences from the majority opinion written by Justice Alito.

“Not only was there no support for such a constitutional right until shortly before Roe, but abortion had long been a crime in every single State. At common law, abortion was criminal in at least some stages of pregnancy and was regarded as unlawful and could have very serious consequences at all stages.”

American law followed the common law until a wave of statutory restrictions in the 1800s expanded criminal liability for abortions. By the time of the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment, three-quarters of the States had made abortion a crime at any stage of pregnancy, and the remaining States would soon follow.”

“In interpreting what is meant by the Fourteenth Amendment’s reference to ‘liberty,’ we must guard against the natural human tendency to confuse what that Amendment protects with our own ardent views about the liberty that Americans should enjoy. That is why the Court has long been ‘reluctant’ to recognize rights that are not mentioned in the Constitution.”

Regarding our “rights” that we hear so much about today, Cal Thomas correctly observed the “key to resolving these issues was the acknowledgment that government does not grant rights. Government is supposed to “secure rights,” as Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence – rights that are “endowed by their Creator” and thus, “unalienable,” meaning “not transferable to another or not capable of being taken away or denied.” (dictionary.com).

We believe in the right to life. We believe in the sanctity of life. We believe that the unborn child is formed and fashioned by God in the womb. As the Psalmist beautifully described it this way.

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
(Psalm 139:13-16)

This landmark decision has evoked three responses that I suggest are appropriate for all of us.

#1 Be thankful for the reversal of this serious wrong.

I wonder how many prayers have been offered that Roe would be reversed? Now is the time to thank God for the Court’s proper regard for the sanctity of life. To be thankful for their courage in the face of massive opposition and extreme pressure from the liberal left in our country. And to be thankful that this serious blight is, to some degree, being removed from our land.

#2 Rejoice for those who will live because of this ruling.

While more than 60 million babies have been aborted in the US since 1973, now more will live. More babies will have the right to life. The right to love. To be loved. And to enjoy the pursuit of their God-given rights. We further rejoice that fewer women will have to live with the regret and shame of aborting their child, like so many have in the past 50 years.

#3 To feel a sense of duty to support those facing an unwanted pregnancy.

It’s important to realize that there will be young girls facing the prospect of giving birth to a baby that was unplanned, and women dealing with the prospects of having a child they are unable to care for. As Christians who are commanded “to do good to all people (Gal. 6:10), and to follow the footsteps of our Master who “went about doing good” (Ax.10:38), we will have opportunities to support, encourage and assist those facing a difficult situation.

As pro-life people and disciples of Christ, we need to be leading the way in showing love, kindness, and compassion to those who are overwhelmed facing an unwanted pregnancy. We can support crisis pregnancy centers that are often underfunded and overworked, lacking sufficient volunteers.

Furthermore, we can support the adoption process and offer hope to those feeling hopeless. We support an organization called Sacred Selections, “an organization to help Christian families overcome the financial barriers of adoption.” Groups like them provide a win-win situation. A woman who’s not able to raise a child can feel good about their baby finding a good home. And a couple can realize the joys of parenthood.

Obviously, not everyone can or should adopt a child. However, we can be supportive of those who do. And be supportive of the birth mother.

One final thought. The opposition to the SCOTUS decision has been fierce and in some cases frenzied. Let us be careful not to respond in kind, or to return evil for evil. May we conduct ourselves with grace and our words “be seasoned with salt” so that we can properly respond to those who disagree (Col. 4:5-6).

Overturning Roe won’t end all abortions. But it does restore the recognition and dignity to the sanctity of life. Praise God!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman