Got a good memory? Recent research conducted in the Netherlands and published in the medical journal Child Development reveals that babies can remember things quite well—even when they’re still in the womb! The sonogram-based study showed that at 30 weeks, babies in utero display short-term memory. By 34 weeks, they can store information and retrieve it up to a month later.
As scientists continue to study the early stages of human life, one fact shines brightly: Babies in the womb are living, growing persons. That’s why abortion is a big deal. In Exodus 20, when God gave Israel the words to help them follow His ways, He stated “you must not murder” (Exodus 20:13). The wanton destruction of another human being is despised by God, for people are made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27, 9:6). Persons, even the tiniest ones, are precious image-bearers of Him.
The Hebrew word for murder used in verse 13 is found just 47 times in the Old Testament. Of the seven possible Hebrew words that mean “to kill,” it’s the one that speaks the strongest of premeditation and intentionality—words that describe the act of abortion.
God allows for the taking of life in certain instances such as killing an animal for food (Exodus 9:2-3), the execution of murderers by the government (Genesis 9:6), the death of a burglar attempting to rob your home (Exodus 22:2), accidental killings (Deuteronomy 19:5), and certain types of war (Joel 3:9-10). Abortion is not acceptable to God, however, for it involves the killing of innocents—babies who are individual persons created in His image.
By God’s grace, those who have been involved in abortions can find forgiveness in Jesus. But today, regardless of the past, each of us should remember that even babies in the womb display memory. They are persons— made in the image of God.
More:
• Psalm 139:13-16
• Proverbs 31:8-9
• Isaiah 44:24
Next:
How has abortion affected society overall? How can we winsomely live out God’s view of protecting the life of innocent persons?
pteast on July 14, 2010 at 4:41 am
Amen! ainaoba
cspevacek on July 14, 2010 at 5:05 am
Thank you Tom and ainoba! This message cannot be said often enough. We are living in a time when sin seems to be accepted and rewarded with abortion. I am amazed at how our young are being informed about how to fix their sinful behavior but not about the sin and abstaining from it. We are in a time when our own government encourages abortion. We all need to be out there reminding everyone that all things come from God, especially life.
prayerful on July 14, 2010 at 6:06 am
Tom,
This morning’s message was irresponsible. Abortion is a complex issue and your attempt to reduce that complexity to the generic command not to kill observed in Exodus 20:13 is misleading. Even if you believe abortions are morally wrong (i.e., against God’s will) in all cases including incest, rape or in instances where the life of the mother is in extreme danger, your list of divine caveats for murder is woefully short. You left out important, challenging chunks of Law in Deuteronomy and Leviticus that describe lots of exceptions for murder (problematic exceptions), including the literal penalty of death for cursing one’s parents (i.e. Deuteronomy 17:12, 22:20-21, 13:7-12; Leviticus 20:9, 20:10, 21:9, etc…). I think most families use time-out for that offense, not divine sanctioned murder.
I understand that your message today was designed to be a bold statement of faith. And, I don’t necessarily disagree with your point. But what I firmly disagree with is how you presented a complex problem as if it were an easy to identify, straight forward, simple issue with a simple, easy solution. It is not.
R R Kelkar on July 14, 2010 at 7:30 am
Prayerful, I agree with you entirely.
I do realize that ODJ bloggers have to limit themselves to a finite number of words within which it is not possible to do justice to different points of view. Even then, I feel that it is not right to present just a one-sided view of a complex problem.
I also feel that ODJ bloggers should refrain from telling us what is “acceptable” to God and what is not. This amounts to being judgmental, and does not go with the encouragement that ODJ is giving us to develop personal relationships with God.
It is often confusing for ODJ readers like me to find in some posts a complete reliance on Old Testament laws, while in other posts we find the more liberal interpretations of the New Testament taking precedence over the Old.
I understand that ODJ posts are basically meant to stimulate discussion among readers, but individual posts should have a common underlying philosophy that we can follow while facing the problems and living conditions of today’s world.
tom felten on July 14, 2010 at 9:36 am
Prayerful and R R Kelkar, thank you for sharing your concerns with me regarding this post. The beauty of our open, online community is that we can share what we believe is biblical—our convictions based in God’s Word. I was not desiring to be “irreponsible,” on the contrary, I feel personally that I would not be responsible if I didn’t put into words what I believe God’s Word teaches. In light of the overwhelming promotion and propaganda of abortion around the world (even late-term aborticide), my desire was simply to lift up the realization that all life springs from our sovereign God and that the unborn possess unspeakable value as image-bearers of Him.
GiGi on July 14, 2010 at 7:53 am
I would challenge you to find a person born of rape or incest and ask them if they wish they had been aborted… Life is life, no matter the circumstances of the conception. My daughter became pregnant, and due to her diabetes, knew it would be a very high risk pregnancy. She decided on an abortion, then could not go through with it. As a result, I have the most amazing 4 yr old grandson who is the light of my life!! When asked “Who loves you the most?” His answer, “God and Jesus!” I praise God for my daughter’s choice to endure the trials of pregnancy and give the world the gift of this precious baby.
stupart on July 14, 2010 at 9:22 am
Thank you GiGi. Often times we look at this situation through our eyes and not through the eyes of the potential victim(the aborted). A person’s life is not measured by the mistakes or crimes of their parent but by what they make of their own life. A child born of rape or incest I am sure does not spend their life regretting being born but enjoying every god given momentt. And how many women have been told that their pregnancy is high risk but go on to have healthy babies and survive the birth? It is true that many may have died from doing this but instead of condeming them for being foolhardhy let us consider that it is His will being done.
Brianbenyosef on July 14, 2010 at 8:28 am
This disturbs me deeply. The reason being that before I knew Jesus, when I was a young man of about nineteen my girlfriend got pregnant. We both were drinking and doing drugs. We decided to abort the baby. I now wish that I had not done that. It cuts deep into my soul that I killed my son. I know Jesus forgives me, but I find it difficult to forgive myself. Life is too precious to take so lightly. Adoption is a better way to go. Please forgive me Jesus!
tom felten on July 14, 2010 at 9:18 am
Brian, please note the last paragraph of today’s post: “By God’s grace, those who have been involved in abortions can find forgiveness in Jesus.” All of us are sinners saved by grace. Things done in the past are forgiven by God as we come to Him in genuine repentance—something you have displayed. Scripture tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Praise God for His forgiveness and love for us!
jeffery71 on July 14, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Brian, You were forgiven for that before it ever happend. In Gods mind it is not an issue any longer.
Our guilt can weight us down and hold us back. Satan would like for nothing more than to remind us of things like this and make us feel guilty. Don’t let him!
You have something extra special waiting for you when you get to heaven!
Jeff
woody on July 14, 2010 at 11:38 am
As I read today’s post i cannot help but wonder at all the thousands of children youths and adults around this world who are here only because their mothers decided not to abort. Our youngest daughter came from a parent who was unwilling to have her, we counseled her, prayed with her and eventually she had the child whom we adopted, she was born very ill as a result of attempted self abortion and the doctors told us there is no hope, after using all our savings and even employment to care for her we now have a beautiful 11 yr old who God gave to us. ALL life is His and His alone we have no right to kill. thank you Tom for sharing with us today.
jennifer benson schuldt on July 14, 2010 at 1:56 pm
King David, speaking to God on the subject of life before birth:
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Your workmanship is marvelous.
You saw me before I was born.”
(Excerpts from Psalm 139)
r. panahon on July 14, 2010 at 4:22 pm
It its only through faithfully walking with God everyday we find answers to all our questions. Let’s all be sensitive into what God is telling us not to what we want to hear from God.
Tyla808 on July 14, 2010 at 6:34 pm
I think the subject of Abortion is a dangerous one for both Christians and non-Christians alike. Its a passion subject but it is a topic of death no matter what side of the fence you stand on.
Its complex and for many its not just so black and white, there are questionable shades of gray.
In the physical sense…in many areas around the world (even here in the U.S.) medically, abortions can be fatal for both mother and unborn child. Both can die or become seriously injured due to complications (during the procedure and/or after),
unskilled hands, bad/wrong medication, etc.
However, on the other hand there are many mothers who medically could die if they choose to have a child OR through various tests,
parents can find all types of birth defects, etc. and may find out that their child may not live till the age of 5 and before then may suffer in great pain due to some deformity…
Is God a healer? The answer is a resounding “YES!” He IS Jehovah Rapha. We are the people whom He has called to share that promise. I understand from several people’s experiences that along with their full anti-abortion beliefs they are glad and blessed to have made the decisions they have made. One man, who at the time made a difficult decision is now repentant about making that decision and that is God’s light and revelation in his life.
I’m saddened when I hear of extremist burning down abortion clinics, even physically harming employees of these clinics and/or their families because these people do not share their views. I think even though many of us many not resort to violence to get our point across, feeling so passionate and having such a strong conviction about something can sometimes make us have an ungodly self-righteous judgemental attitude, voice/tone, towards others which may turn them off to the gospel and hinder them from seeing the light.
I’m not saying to forsake God’s word, laws, commands; I think we should hold dearly to our beliefs and yet be faithful in prayer for those of us who for whatever reason do not share those beliefs, let alone have made decisions that have resulted in an unborn’s death. Until you walk a mile in there shoes, we shouldn’t judge others. Instead we should pray for them, the leaders, lawmakers, etc.
I can personally see and relate to both sides of the issue. I see “logical” arguments for both pro-life and pro-choice. I hear both “I never asked to be born” and “I never asked to die”. Who can speak for ALL children? Who can speak for the child born with AIDS in makeshift cardboard “home”? Who can speak for the 12-year old mentally handicapped girl who got impregnated by her own father? Who can I speak for?
As a Christian, I am…of course pro-life. However, I genuinely feel for the many unwanted children around the world who were born and are suffering in brothels, severe poverty, homelessness, in overcrowded orphanages and quite possibly have parents who continue to have unwanted children. To those who have adopted, what an amazing gift to have given an unfortunate child a chance at a
better life, but what of the rest of the unwanted children. Again, I wouldn’t be too sure that they all feel very grateful to be alive while their are being used and abused in the most despicable ways, ways you couldn’t even fathom…again, unless you walk a mile in their shoes (if they even have any). Sometimes looking at the truth, in all its rawness allows one to see past the right and the wrong
and see the pain. We been sent to love, help, heal and serve others. Help and set free as many people who have been hurt by abortion
in one shape or form but do not condemn them and do not judge them…that is for the Lord to do.
I believe Tom and RR Kelkar did a good job on “opening” views. However I just felt that others may be angry and not so loving towards people who have chosen otherwise.
I just want all of us to be mindful of other people’s reasons for their choices and PRAY…pray, pray, pray. The root of abortion is in its reasons for having one, and they are numerous. Rape, drugs, birth defects, ignorance, promiscuous behavior, etc. You want to stop abortions…work on finding solutions to the cause of them.
tom felten on July 15, 2010 at 7:09 am
Tyla, and others, thank you for your thoughtful comments!
joanith on April 14, 2011 at 7:51 pm
I agree with everything you said, Tyla!
clu-callia on September 6, 2010 at 7:40 am
n 6 years ago . I am dating a guy at my work place his is a christian. On that time i start know hearing about christian. We are going to church together and he teach me a lot thing of god. .In his church people was disagree him to dating a non christian . So only the pastor know he is dating with me . I don’t want to give him the trouble so we hiding our relationship. He did promise god love me no matter what happen and will married me after i am done for school . we are separated few time but we never break up b/c we are loving each other so much. i know that god is so important to him. He did break up with me b/c i am not christian. So i don’t want to give him the hard time. I do readying bible and go to church. when the time he is not with me i do pray for god. .I do pray for god regarding our relationship. On day i do baptism and found out that i am pregnancy . when I tell him i am pregnancy he did not said anything . He tell me to keep the baby. Give him sometime to think ..But at the same time he told me that he going to planing married with his ex girlfriend who are dating him more 10 yrs ago. b/c what he promise this women before. One day , i hear from my friend that him is engaged . They are going to getting married this Oct. The women know everything he did, but she forgive him. still want to married him. when i call him ask about regarding issue. He said don’t know how to telling me. When i find out that i was so up sad and we are only separated very short period off time. I am confuse that what he told me what’s mean of love. I always though that b/c i am not christian. The people in church want him to go back to the women to get married. In 2 day ago, i do call him ask regarding baby stuff. what he planing to do. But he said that he will going to tell the woman b/c he don’t want to lie to her. b/c he love this women. How can he just love another women so fast. He always tell me that he don’t love this women at all. He start telling me that he so regret what he did to me. He can’t be with me and the baby . I am feel so scare. who’s this person? what kind of man i am with this 6yrs. I feel like i get play with this 6yrs. Did this man love me at all. I am believe god is with me otherwise. In this 5mos pregnancy , Lot of thing is happening around me. my mom is past away. I was crying everyday..b/c the sudden change around me. From the beginning, i though that he still want to be with me. I am keeping the baby b/c he love me.. i don’t want to kill the baby. b/c this the mistake i done. I have to responsible for it. But now i find out that this man doesn’t not love us . why he keep tell me to keeping the baby.. why he keep telling me he still love.. He scare that i going to tell our stuff to other people. Finally, I am waken up.. but is too late. i should know that early, he not going to married me b/c if he want to be with me he have to leave his church and admitted to people what he been done. So no matter how much he love me is not more than he love himself. He will lose a lot friendship in the church. b/c he always is not guy in the church. what he now make a lot of people happy. Because this guy not telling me the true I have to face this trouble by myself. My friend and family they are not support me to keeping the baby. I am have to move out new york city. I am living a new town by myself without any support. . Please pray for me everyday and hope the baby stay healthy. sorry to the bad English.. i try so hard to tell the stories.
What should i going do? Should I going to talk to the women? Should i still believe god? I am a sinner god still going to be with me? Did i going to any future? I am too scare what people think?
conniew on September 7, 2010 at 7:27 am
Dear Clu,
My heart breaks for you……you have not been treated with love and respect by this man you were dating. And now you are feeling alone and helpless as you wonder if you can go on and be a mom to your child. I know God’s heart breaks also when He sees this pain in your life. He wants to walk through this with you and I encourage you to pour out your heart to him and ask for His help. I think you know that you are already a mom to this little one and have a love in your heart for him/her and a desire to care for your child. You don’t have to go through all of this alone though.
I know it seems hopeless now, but read Psalm 139. There you will see that God sees you and knows you and has a plan for your life (and for your baby’s life). Some hurtful things have happened but this baby’s life is not a mistake. He/she may be the most wonderful gift you ever receive.
I don’t know where you are in NY City, but most cities have pregnancy centers with men and women just waiting to help girls like you. You could contact Bethany Christian Services (bethany.org) to find out where the centers are close to you. Many times these pregnancy centers can help with material services, referrals to drs. and free ultrasounds, counseling, parenting classes, mentoring, etc. I know because I worked in a center for many years and we loved helping in situations like yours.
It is probably best now to walk away from this relationship with this guy and get some good advice on child support, father’s legal rights, etc. He will have to help you with some financial support at least. I think you will see that with God’s help you will be able to walk away from this relationship and know that God desires more for you.
There are so many questions I would have for you if we were talking in person, so I do hope you will meet with a counselor at a pregnancy center to talk about more of your specific needs. Right now I am praying for you, that you will have wisdom and strength, that God will place good friends and mentors in your life, that you will know HIS peace in your life and know how much He loves you.
clu-callia on September 7, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Conniew
I don’t know how much you answer my question. I do moved out to New York City. I am live at Fairfax, Virginia . I want to stay faraway this man. b/c i will can’t control myself to miss him and to look for him. I need to give myself of self respect. But I do wish this man will find his joy. You are right i need to find the best way to take care myself. My heart is painful but i will try to recover. I will pay more attention for myself now b/c if i don’t love myself and the baby. Nobody will care about us. Anyway i feel better now. I know time can help me to heal. I know god is with me b/c without god i can’t do this alone. Thank you for your support. I am happy that you are support me. Thank you tell me the baby is gift for me. by the way, i find out baby is boy. what should i do now? How to help myself and the baby? Should I contact the women to tell her everything? God bless your . thank your ur care.