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Is Abortion the Issue that Determines Everything Else?

We must ask, “What is God’s role in human life?” And the answer has far-reaching consequences.

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I will confess.

I have never been a huge pro-life activist. I have never donated to pro-life causes. I have never been to a pro-life march. Yes, I have always been pro-life but never understood not only the importance of the issue in and of itself, but how the position one takes – or society takes – will determine your position on almost everything else.

That has changed, and while I am late to the movement, it is better late than never.

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Perhaps you are the same way that I was. Perhaps you are pro-life but do not yet understand how important the issue is. If so, I would like to challenge you to think this through with me.

There is one premise we must agree upon, because if we don’t then it would make sense that one would be pro-abortion. The premise?

God. Pro-life is in the domain of God. If there is no God, then abortion is entirely fine. Survival of the fittest, right? Kill or be killed. Whoever is powerful will make decisions, including decisions on who lives and who dies, even if it is the life inside of you.

I am reminded of a debate I got into in college with a secularist professor. I usually sat in the front row of the huge auditorium where he regularly badmouthed Christians and Christianity (ironic considering this was a “Christian” school. There is a difference between a Christian school and a “church” school), and repeatedly declared that there is no God. One day, however, I was late and found myself sitting in the very last row at the top of the auditorium. The professor was talking about how evil animal testing was, particularly using monkeys for testing.

Soon my hand was raised and the professor called on me. “Yes?” he asked.

“You can’t take the position of being against animal testing given your worldview.”

“Why not,” he prodded.

“Because you don’t believe in God. If there is no God, then it is just survival of the fittest, most powerful animal gets to do what it wants. The Frog eats the fly, the lion eats the antelope, and humans can eat – or test – whatever they want. We’re just lucky to be at the top of the food chain. However, if you were a Christian, then you could be against animal testing – or could at least make an argument against it – because God makes us stewards of the earth and we would have to deal with the ethics of animal testing. Concern for anything is predicated on a belief in God.”

The class was silent, waiting to hear what he would say in return. What could he say though? It is an airtight argument and he was in the corner because of it.

“Point well taken,” he said and quickly moved on to another topic.

If there is a God and if God is involved in the affairs of humans, as orthodox Christian teaching teaches, then we must ask, “What is God’s role in human life?” And the answer has far-reaching consequences.

Christianity teaches that God creates life. Conception is not merely a biological function. When sperm collides with egg, God infuses it with life.

See where we are? If you don’t believe in God, then abort the cluster of cells. Survival of the fittest. If you do believe in God, then abortion is a rejection of His work and the life that He created.

Think through with me some of the scriptures that teach us about God and life:

Psalm 139:13-15 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.”

God created us.

He knit us together – that’s active.

We were made and woven together.

Galatians 1:15: “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace.”

Before we were born He had set His plan in place for us.

Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;”

He formed us.

He consecrated us.

Now, I imagine that most of us here agree with much if not all of the above, but what about my main contention that everything else stems from one’s position on life?

Let’s start with this. Remember the phrase from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

What can we derive from this simple statement? What are the facts we can take away?

The truths are self evident. Anyone who doesn’t see them is not looking at reality.

All men are created equal. “Men” is obviously being used her like one would use “mankind,” as a word for everyone. This includes, well, everyone, including the unborn life.

We have unalienable rights. They cannot be taken away or removed. The dictionary defines unalienable as “Not to be separated, given away, or taken away.”

These rights are granted to us by God Himself. The government does not determine our rights. They protect our rights that are given to us by God.

The three rights listed here are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

So I ask, is it possible that these three are listed, in that order, for a reason? Of course it is. If you don’t have life, you cannot have liberty and if you do not have liberty, there can be no pursuit of happiness. That’s obvious. But again, what of my contention that what you believe about life is how you will believe about anything – or everything.

In order to be pro-abortion you have to get rid of a few things:

God.

Unalienable rights.

The right to life.

My question is this: If you can reject God, deny unalienable rights, and kill a child in a womb that God created, what would you not do? Where do you possibly go from there?

Well, you can imprison people for anything you want to. You can support the Chinese even when the have millions of slaves and political prisoners. You can engage in free sex (which is never really free), resulting in unwanted pregnancies that you simply get an abortion for. You deny the idea of absolute truth, allowing you you to foist almost any idea you want on a public that now rejects God and absolute truth.

Yes, once you cross the line, there are no more lines that can’t be crossed. When you do not respect and honor the very basic premise of the value of life, there is no value left at all.

Yes, they will try to use mental gymnastics to make sense of it, but if you are grounded in truth, it makes no sense at all. How about this one? Why is it that if a woman goes into an abortion clinic four months pregnant and terminate her pregnancy, it is totally fine for society, but if that same woman were walking into a bank at four months pregnant and a bank robber was leaving the bank and shot her and killed both her and the baby, she would be charged with two murders? This is completely and totally intellectually disingenuous. The only difference for the baby is who killed it. Either way it is dead, yet one person – the mom – is lauded for her “choice,” while the other – the robber – is sent to prison.

So, I challenge you to think through these things. If you have already been fighting for life, I applaud you and I apologize for being late to the movement. If you are like I have been in the past, join me in thinking – and praying – about this issue that is the foundation for everything else.

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Chris is the Founder of PolitiCrossing, one of the World's Top 50 Speakers and a member of the Motivational Speakers Hall of Fame. He considers it a privilege to be able to speak to people, help them lead successful lives, become extraordinary leaders and, masterful salespeople. Chris has authored twenty-three books with three million copies in print in 14 languages and over 450 articles on success, leadership, sales and motivation.



 
 
 

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Faith

While Biden Insults Israel, Here is Why the US Must Support Our Ally

Israel is a key ally for the United States in the Middle East

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There are several reasons why the United States should support Israel. In this essay, we will explore these reasons in detail and argue for the importance of the United States’ support for Israel.

First, the Bible clearly states that God has chosen Israel as his people. In the book of Genesis, God promises to Abraham that his descendants will become a great nation and that all nations will be blessed through him. This promise is reiterated throughout the Old Testament, with God making a covenant with Israel and promising to bless them if they obey his commands. In Deuteronomy 7:6-8, God says, “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”

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Furthermore, in the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the “King of the Jews” and he himself was born in Bethlehem, in Israel. The Apostle Paul also acknowledges the importance of Israel in Romans 11:1-2, “I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew.”

Second, throughout history, the Jewish people have faced persecution and discrimination. The Holocaust, where six million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazis, is one of the most well-known examples of this persecution. The State of Israel was established in 1948 as a homeland for the Jewish people, in response to this persecution. Since then, Israel has faced constant threats to its existence, with neighboring countries and terrorist organizations seeking to destroy it. The United States’ support for Israel is a way of standing with the Jewish people and ensuring their safety and security.

Third, Israel is a key ally for the United States in the Middle East. The two countries share similar values, including democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and as such, it is an important partner for the United States in promoting democracy and stability in the region. Additionally, Israel has a strong military and intelligence capabilities, which are important for the United States’ security interests in the region.

Historically, there have been several instances where the United States’ support for Israel has been crucial. For example, during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Israel was facing a coordinated attack from Egypt and Syria. The United States provided military assistance to Israel, which helped to turn the tide of the war in Israel’s favor. In 1991, during the Gulf War, Iraq fired missiles at Israel in an attempt to draw Israel into the conflict. However, Israel did not retaliate, thanks in part to the United States’ efforts to convince Israel to remain out of the conflict.

In addition to these historical events, there are also several quotes from biblical scholars, historians, and politicians that support the United States’ support for Israel. For example, in his book The Case for Israel, Alan Dershowitz writes, “The struggle between Israel and its enemies is not simply a dispute over territory, nor is it a religious conflict between Jews and Muslims. It is, rather, a clash between two fundamentally different worldviews: one that values human life and individual freedom, and one that values death and submission to the will of Allah.” Dershowitz’s statement highlights the importance of Israel as a bastion of democracy and individual freedom in a region that is often characterized by authoritarianism and oppression.

Similarly, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, “The Jews are the most formidable and the most remarkable race that has appeared in the world.” Churchill’s statement acknowledges the resilience and tenacity of the Jewish people, who have faced centuries of persecution and discrimination, yet have managed to thrive and make significant contributions to the world.

Finally, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan once said, “Israel is the only place in the Middle East where Christians, Jews, and Muslims are all free to worship and live in peace.” Reagan’s statement highlights the importance of Israel as a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in a region that is often characterized by sectarian conflict.

In conclusion, there are several reasons why the United States should support Israel. Firstl, the Bible clearly states that God has chosen Israel as his people, and as such, Israel holds a special place in the hearts of many Christians. Second, Israel has faced centuries of persecution and discrimination, and the establishment of the State of Israel was a response to this persecution. Supporting Israel is a way of standing with the Jewish people and ensuring their safety and security. Third, Israel is a key ally for the United States in the Middle East, sharing similar values and providing important military and intelligence capabilities. Finally, there are several quotes from biblical scholars, historians, and politicians that support the United States’ support for Israel, highlighting the importance of Israel as a bastion of democracy, religious tolerance, and coexistence in a region that is often characterized by authoritarianism and sectarian conflict. As such, the United States’ support for Israel is not only a moral imperative, but also serves the strategic interests of the United States in the Middle East.

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Faith

This is What Makes Jesus Cry

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.

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“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.” Luke 19:41

I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that Jesus cried on the number of occasions. Particularly this instance, where he wept, when seeing the city of Jerusalem. What was Jesus crying about? In fact, he wasn’t just crying, the Greek word for “wept” in this passage, literally means to well allowed as opposed to the use of the word wept in another passage, that means to “cry quietly.” So Jesus was wailing over the city. But why?

Verse 44 gives us the answer, speaking to the Israelites: “because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

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And therein is the answer. Jesus just wants His people to recognize Him, to come to Him, to receive Him, to give their lives to Him, and to accept the salvation that He brings.

I imagine that Jesus feels the same way today. Jesus is waiting for our world to receive Him. Life would be so much better for everyone if they simply gave their lives to the Lord. Yet in our rebelliousness, we continue to lead our own lives in the way that we want. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

We think that we will be set free yet what we find is bondage.

Free sex! Yet it results in bondage.
Get drunk! Bondage.
Take advantage of others! Bondage.

And on and on.

Proverbs 14:12 warns us that there is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. In our modern world, we are bombarded with various ways and ideologies that promise happiness, success, and fulfillment. However, many of these ways lead to death, both literally and figuratively.

One way that leads to death is the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. Our society places a high value on money and material goods, and many people believe that accumulating wealth will bring them happiness and security. However, the Bible tells us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10), and that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). When we prioritize wealth over God and others, we become selfish and greedy, and this can lead to broken relationships and a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction.

Another way that leads to death is the pursuit of pleasure and instant gratification. Our culture encourages us to seek pleasure in various forms, whether it be through substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, or other vices. However, these pursuits often lead to addiction, brokenness, and ultimately, physical and spiritual death. As the Bible warns us, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

In contrast to the ways of the world, the Bible offers us a different way of life that leads to true and lasting fulfillment. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). When we surrender our lives to Jesus and follow His teachings, we discover a way of life that is marked by love, joy, peace, and eternal life. Let us choose the narrow path that leads to life, rather than the wide path that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

Back to Luke 19:41, where we see Jesus weeping over the city of Jerusalem. He knew that the city would reject him and suffer destruction. Jesus’ tears were a reflection of his deep love and compassion for the people, despite their rejection of him.

Likewise, we live in a world that is broken and hurting. We see the effects of sin all around us, including poverty, injustice, violence, and sickness. It can be easy to become overwhelmed or even desensitized to the pain and suffering in our world. However, we are called to have compassion on the world around us, just as Jesus did.

Compassion means to suffer with or empathize with those who are hurting. When we have compassion, we are moved to action. We seek to alleviate the suffering of others and bring hope and healing to those who are in need. We can do this by serving those who are less fortunate, advocating for justice, and sharing the love of Jesus with those who are lost.

However, true compassion requires more than just a one-time act of service or charity. It requires a lifestyle of love and sacrifice. It means being willing to inconvenience ourselves for the sake of others and to stand up for what is right, even when it is not popular.

As we seek to have compassion on the world around us, we can take comfort in knowing that we are not alone. Jesus himself is with us, weeping over the brokenness of our world and inviting us to join him in bringing healing and hope to all those who are hurting.

Ultimately the goal is salvation for the world. In fact, that is what produces joy in the heart of the Lord. There is no weeping when a sinner repents.

In Luke 15:7, Jesus says, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” This passage reveals God’s heart for the lost and His joy when sinners turn to him in repentance.

God is not indifferent or angry towards sinners; rather, He longs for them to come back to Him. When we turn away from sin and towards God, we experience His forgiveness, love, and grace. And when we do, God rejoices over us, just as a shepherd rejoices over a lost sheep that is found.

This passage reminds us that no matter how far we may have strayed from God, there is always hope for restoration and reconciliation. We can never be too far gone for God’s love and grace to reach us. When we turn to God in repentance, we are welcomed with open arms and celebrated by heaven.

Let us take heart in the fact that God rejoices over sinners who repent. Let us be people who are quick to repent and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that He is always ready and willing to receive us back into his loving embrace.

And let our message to the world be that God loves them and that His plan is a good one for their lives!

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