The 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade is being observed around the country with many gatherings, protests and prayers. Baton Rouge participants have planned an “inter-faith” / “multi-denominational” march to the Louisiana State Capital building to mourn this particular day. Faith, civic, and community leaders are expected to address the crowd and lead them in prayer. Among these leaders will be U.S. Senator David Vitter who is a professed Catholic, Catholic Bishop Robert W. Muench of Baton Rouge, Fr. Shenan Boquet who is a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and Dr. Richard Land who is president of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, of the Southern Baptist Convention. The stated mission of the march is to “Unite the pro-life people of Louisiana, across all denominational lines, to take a stand for life in our State's Capital, and mobilize them with resources to go make a difference in their community“.
At first glance this may seem to be a very noble if not a godly and righteous cause to be a part of. However, as a professing evangelical Christian I cannot support this uniting and mobilization in the context of biblical truth. As Christians, our rule of faith and practice is the bible. The bible is sufficient for all of life and godliness. It is our guide and directs our every action, especially with regard to opposing sin and confronting error in this fallen world. 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work”.
When the question is raised, “Should Christians mobilize or unite with non-believers or false religions to politically, civically or otherwise protest or publicly demonstrate against the evils or injustices of this world?”, the only source of the answer is God’s Holy Word. We would do well to heed the words of our Lord and follow in His foot steps “walking in a manner worthy of our calling” so that we might “be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)”
God’s people are called to mobilize and unite with God’s people for the cause of the gospel. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15) Christians are not called to any mobilizing or uniting effort with non-Christians or cults. In fact the bible is abundantly clear that the Christian Church is to be Holy, separate from this present world. 1 Peter 1:16 “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
The Greek word for Church is ecclesia. This word literally means “called out ones”. The Church is to be separate from the world in all it’s actions and endeavors. Further substantiating this truth the Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Corinth in 1 Cor. 6:14-18 “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness; Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God has said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. THEREFORE, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
The question I am raising with regard to the Pro Life March is NOT “Should Christians stand together against abortion and all other evils in this world”, but rather “Should Christians participate in gatherings, protests or any other community or political actions that intentionally or unintentionally blur the distinction between true Christianity and false religions or the secular world?” I find the answer to this question in Scripture to be a clear and resounding “God forbid”!
The Christian cause and the answer to all causes is the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christians we cannot ignore or deny this truth with regard to the Pro Life March and Christian participation in it.
What good becomes of saving thousands of babies natural lives when we compromise or ignore the gospel in our efforts, or even by our participation validate a false message that will consequently damn those souls to hell?
I realize that this is a bold and some what offensive statement, but consider for a moment the truth that it upholds. The message of the gospel is one of redemption. The gospel is an exclusive message that God in Christ has reconciled His people to Himself by grace through faith. If Christians even in an attempt to save lives, align themselves with non-believers or worse, false religions or cults like Catholicism, they compromise the truth of the gospel that is “the power of God unto salvation“ (Romans 1:16).
The Pro Life title can only make sense within the biblical context. As a result of the fall of man in the garden of Eden, physical life without Christ results in death. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12)”. “The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die (Genesis 2:16-17).” Jesus didn’t simply come into the world to preserve physical life, He came to give life. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:7-10).”
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6).”
Jesus explained true life to Martha in her confusion about her brother Lazarus’ death and resurrection saying this: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)”
At this point one might ask the question, “Isn’t it a generally “good” thing to save a life?”. Yes, it is morally right and good to save lives, but to do so at the expense or compromise of the gospel is pointless within the context of Scripture. A life saved with no hope of Christ is a life lost. In fact, “without faith God is not pleased” and the life saving act itself is nothing but a “filthy rag” in the sight of a Holy God (Hebrews 11:6) (Isaiah 64:6).
Jesus condemned religious leaders for similar seemingly good actions that were done with motives void of the truth. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves (Matthew 23:15).”
It is only by the grace of God that one life could even be spared in this wretched, fallen and forsaken world. It is Pharisee like hypocrisy to save a life and in the process compromise or forsake the very gospel of grace that has granted the mercy for that life to be saved.
How does this apply to the Pro Life March taking place this Saturday at the Louisiana State Capital?
Several points of practical application can be garnered from this discussion. The mission of the march is to “Unite the pro-life people of Louisiana, across all denominational lines…“
So first, Catholicism has never in Scripture or history been deemed as “Christian” by true evangelicals. To partner, participate, passively validate, pray with or otherwise attempt to “fellowship” with false religions is inexcusable, sinful and expressly forbidden in Scripture. Catholicism is heretical and teaches a false gospel. The majority leadership of this movement are heretics by biblical definition.
Secondly, it is hypocritical to mobilize Christians for a good cause when that mobilization, because of it’s passive gospel position, outnumbers mobilization in the Church for true missions and the carrying of gospel to the nations.
Thirdly, if Christians would harness the drive, passion and numbers of people for the sake of the gospel and prayer we would see revival in our land. Not only would God be pleased to honor His word as He says He will, but we would surely see men, woman and children come to know true life in Jesus Christ.
Not only are thousands of babies aborted in this country each and every day, but over 6700 people die each day in our country from various causes. 150,000 people die each day around the world.
Could it be that God allows the slaughter of thousands of unborn children in this country because His people by and large have left their first love and forsaken His gospel? He flooded the entirety of the world in Noah’s day, killing all the babies, children, women and men with the exception of Noah and his family. Could it be that what we call a tragedy is actually the sovereign, merciful hand of God upon these souls delivering them from certain doom without the gospel?
What is the cure for the mortality rate of both unborn deaths and the thousands of others that die each day? The gospel, pure and simple. God’s people must return to the truth of God’s Word and direct their heart’s cry to the building up of the Body of Christ in love through the Church.
Back to the original question. Are YOU Pro Life and if so are you making it known God’s way? There is no life without Christ. The answer to the problem of abortion is not moral reform, but spiritual re-birth. The gospel and its’ purity must be our priority if God is going to be glorified in His Church.
