Abortion: The Wrong Choice (Part 2 of 3) by John M. Duvall (http://www.TruthFactor.com/)
III. We Have A Responsibility To Care Of The Helpless.
A. Under the Old Covenant, the children of Israel were required
to take care of the helpless. (Deut. 10:17-18; 24:19-21)
B. Under the New Covenant, Christians are also required to do
what they can to provide for those who are helpless. (James 1:27)
C. Of all the people who live in this world, I would say that
the unborn child is in the greatest need of help.
1. The loving mother does all she can to provide for the needs
of her unborn child.
a. Quit smoking
b. Quit drinking
c. Take Vitamins
d. Plenty of Rest
e. Eat a balanced diet.
f. Visit the doctor regularly.
2. However, in the country that we live in, Christians are called
upon to stand up for and speak in the defense of those helpless
unborn babies who are headed towards extermination.
IV. A Baby Possesses The Attributes Of A Living And Autonomous
Human Being.
A. At the conception, a baby has its own set of genes which
will help to direct the development of the baby into its own person.
B. From the 18th day to the 25th day, the baby's heart begins to beat and to circulate its own individual blood supply.
C. The baby's electrical brain waves can be recorded at 40-42 days on an EEG machine. This is evidence that the baby is thinking on its own.
D. The baby begins to squint, swallow, and move its tongue
at around 9 to 10 weeks.
E. All the major organs are present and working in the newborn
baby at around 10 to 11 weeks.
F. By 20 weeks (5 months) the baby can survive outside of the
womb.
V. The Bible Refers To The Unborn Baby And The Born Baby
With The Same Word.
A. In the Old Testament, the word "ben" (pronounced
bane) is used in reference to the born and the unborn.
1. Genesis 25:21-22 - Jacob and Esau struggled within the womb.
The text reads, "But the children struggled together within
her..." (NKJV) The term children (ben) was referring to
two unborn babies.
2. Genesis 37:3 - Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than his
other children. The text reads, "...Israel loved Joseph more
than all his children..." (NKJV) In this text, the Hebrew
word ben is used in reference to children after birth.
B. In the New Testament, the Greek word "brephos"
refers to an "unborn child, embryo, fetus; a newborn child,
an infant...a babe." (Thayers)
1. Luke 1:44 - The unborn baby John leaped in his mothers womb.
The text reads, "...the babe leaped in my womb for joy."
(NKJV) In this passage, the Greek word "brephos" is
used in reference to an unborn baby.
2. Luke 2:16 - The shepherd found the born baby Jesus lying
in a manger. The text reads, "...and found Mary and Joseph,
and the Babe lying in a manger." (NKJV) In this text, the
Greek word "brephos" is referring to a baby that had
already been born.
C. The Bible does not make a noticeable distinction between
an unborn baby and a born baby. The unborn baby has as much right
to live as a baby who has already left the womb.
D. Leaders today call an unborn child a fetus, an embryo, or
even a viable tissue mass.
1. While these words may seem harmless, some have used these
words to strip away the humanity of an unborn child. Consider
the U.S. Supreme Court which declared that a fetus is not a person.
2. The Almighty Heavenly Father has declared otherwise: An unborn
child is a child.
Copyright 1999, John M. Duvall, Truth Factor.
What do you really know about the grace of God? What does the term grace mean? Do you think it means as some might say "prayer at the dinner table?" Or is there a greater significance placed on this all important concept? Such as: is it for everyone? Are there conditions to be met? Furthermore, how does one take advantage of God's grace? In any event, the proper answers and understanding of God's grace are gained through diligent studies of the Holy Scriptures. The theme of the theme of the Bible is centered on it. For if man does not have God's grace, then he is doom to eternal damnation after this life.
The main obstacle of understanding the grace of God has been the preconceived ideas of perverted teaching of many in the religious world. However, the serious Bible student and seeker of God is made aware of these perversions. He turns to the scriptures to understand who God is. As a result, the scriptures warn him of such perversions happening.
For example, Jude 4 gives a description of those who would be of this perversion. "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ." (cf. 1 Tim 3:1-3) These ungodly men exist today and continue to promote other perversions such as: God overlooks sin without repentance (Rom 6:1,2); there is nothing for you to do to obtain the grace of God; and it is impossible to fall from grace, (i.e. you will be saved no matter what you do).
Many people are influenced by these perversions for several reasons: ignorance of the scriptures, trusting man, family or friends instead of trusting God, following the traditions of men instead of following the word of God. Thus, if salvation from God is to be obtained, we must rely on the teachings of God's word. Our soul's well-being depends on it. The price for it is too costly to trust man and not God.
Let us begin the discussion by defining the term grace. Vine's Expository Dictionary, defines grace as "that which bestows or occasions pleasure, delight, or favorable regard." Thayer, a Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, defines it as "goodwill, loving-kindness, favor." In brief, grace is favor, kindness or goodwill. Hence, the definitions of Vine and Thayer are according to the scriptures. For it refers to "grace" as an expression of God's kindness toward man through Jesus Christ. It is described as "the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:7,8). In other passages, the grace of God is called the gospel building one up to an inheritance among the sanctified (Acts 20:24,32). It contains the message of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection for mankind. Paul, by the Spirit, told the Corinthians that salvation is found in it (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Equally important, it teaches to deny ungodliness and worldly lust and to live soberly and righteously in this present world (Titus 2:11,12). The Roman Christians were told it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes (Rom 1:16,17). In the context of these passages, the work of salvation through Christ is the central theme of God's grace.
The grace of God is important because everyone needs it whether they realize it or not. It was the sin of man that brought on this need. For it separated man from God, who is the source of life? This is what happened in Genesis chapters' 1-5. Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden for disobeying God. They were separated from the source of life. Inevitably, death followed.
When Israel violated the covenant God made with them in Mt Sinai, Isaiah said their sins (iniquities) separated them from their God (Isa 59:1,2). Sin is a transgression of law, in particular, the law of God (1 Jn 3:4). Therefore, when you fail to obey the word of God or go beyond His teaching, you have sinned. And this makes you a sinner, putting you out of favor with God. Until Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they enjoyed the favor of God in unity and harmony. As long as Israel was obedient to God, they enjoyed the favor of God in fellowship with Him. If sin affected their relationship with God, it also affects ours today. Romans 3:23 teaches that all have sinned, therefore putting all men out of favor. Since this is the situation of the sinner, being outside God's grace, death is eminent. For the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). On top of that, the wrath of God abides upon you (Eph. 2:1-4). In order to pass from death to life, the grace of God is needed.
In the grace of God, the price or penalty for sin is met in the death of the Son of God, Jesus. The vicarious death of the Son of God explains grace. However, you could pay the price for your sin but, you would die in sin. In addition, you would be forever in a state of separation from the Almighty. Since man could not save himself, God gave His Son. He bored the iniquities of man or He paid the price (Isa. 53). Thus, thanks be to Him for His demonstration of love and kindness towards man by sacrificing His Son on the cross (Rom 5:6-11). Jesus came from heaven and tasted death for everyone (Heb 2:9). And as a result, salvation is for those who believe in Him (Eph. 1:7). My friend, this truly is the gift of God.
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