A word of clarification perhaps needs to be given regarding violence, and even murder, at abortion clinics by pro-life activists. No, we are not for it!
In “The Diary of a Fetus” in our January issue we used what some might call inflammatory rhetoric when we quoted Revelation 21:8 which says: “But … murders … shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” We do indeed believe that those who perform abortions, and/or consent to them, are guilty of murder and stand in need of repentance. There can be no other conclusion for those who believe, as we do, that life as a creation of God begins at conception. However, the warning of the eternal fate of murderers applies also to those who claim to have a justifiable reason to commit it.
Some segments of the pro-life movement are now rationalizing violence and even murder at abortion clinics claiming that they are involved in a “war” to save the unborn. We disagree with the convoluted logic which would condone violence and murder in the name of the Creator-God. In a “just war” killing is, of course permissible on the part of Christians in the armed services. But to claim abortion clinics are battle sites in a “just war” won’t wash for those who recognize that, whether we agree with the law or not, abortion has been made legal in America.
In other words, it is not for us to “play God”. We desire to educate people as to the serious nature and consequences of the abortion-act, but in doing this we are not suggesting that God would have us take the law into our own hands in His defense. “Vengeance is mine, and recompense” says the Lord through Moses (Deut. 32:35). This principle of divine retribution is repeated at least twice in the New Testament (see Romans 10:19, Hebrews 12:30).
Almighty God can and will defend His own honor when, and as, He sees fit. He sent judgment on the fallen world with the Noahic flood, and on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone. He met the challenge to His honor, for example, with Pharaoh in Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzer in Babylon.
Our hearts hurt for every child who is an abortion victim. We heard an updated figure in the last month to the effect that abortions nationwide are down from the daily average of 4,400 to “only” 2,500. The reason given for this down-turn is that “the message of pro-lifers is getting through”.
This is bittersweet news. We dare not allow this good news to desensitize our consciences to the evil that is the murder of even one unborn child. Within the legal boundaries open to us, we must not desist from speaking out in behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves (see Prov. 31:8-9).
— Pastor Paul Fleischer