This is a quiz for my fellow Christians:
1. Does God love you?
2. Does God know what's best for you?
3. Are children a blessing?
4. Is God the giver of life?
If you have the same Bible that I do, and you believe it to be the infallible Word of God, then your answer should be "yes" too all four of those questions - each of these principles I believe are universally understood to be foundational Christian beliefs based on the truth as reveal in scripture.
I could quote scriptures with references to back up these questions/answers, but for now, I'll let you look up the passages (it's good practice) - but quickly:
1 - in John "God is Love" and also God says "I have loved you with an everlasting love", and "nothing can separate us from the love of God
2 - "I know the plans I have for you, to bless you and not to harm you"...."all things work together for the good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes"
3 - "children are a gift from the Lord" "children are a heritage" "let the little children come to me"
4 - after the sudden death of all of Job's children (and he had many of them), he stated "the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord" also in Psalms - "For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb." And in so many places in scripture there are stories about God opening and closing a womb, as well as listing barrennes and firtility as a curse or as a blessing directly from God.
So, if these four things are true, please walk with me where they lead!
In summary, God loves me and works everything for my good, even trials and difficulties (see James 1). God loves babies and children, and blesses His people with them. God also is the giver of life, and He plans all our days before even one of them happens!
When taking these four truths, I come to the conclusion that babies are not something to be avoided or feared, but welcomed! God doesn't curse us with children (and many see children as a burden, inconvenience, financial liability and such), but blesses us with children! What other blessing (wealth, spiritual gifts, etc) do we avoid or feel the need to "control" - "I have enough money, I can't handle anymore..." "I've got two cars - I can't even take care of the ones I have" - I already have one spiritual gift, if I have more I won't be able to do the one I have justice"...sounds silly doesn't it??
So why do we as Christians buy into the world's perspective on children?! Even if you don't come to the place where we are (completely leaving our family planning up to God), I think all believers need to take a good look at their attitudes towards the children they have and future children God might bless them with, and prayerfully consider what God would have them do!
And here's something to ponder...isn't the heart of the abortion debate a matter of the heart? Abortions are all about avoiding a difficult situation, not wanting the inconvenience of a baby, fearing the hassle/expense of raising a child? Do we harbor these same ideas when we choose to use birth control? All through the Bible, God consistently shows us that He wants our hearts to be right. Outward appearances and behaviors are secondary to a heart that loves God. When you choose to use birth control, is it a decision made with a heart for the Lord, or are you making your choice for the same reasons others choose abortion? Something to think about!
That's a pretty big leap from- using birth control to choosing an abortion. In case you don't understand; birth control prevents conception verses abortion kills the conceived.
ReplyDeleteMOM TOO
It does seem like a big leap - and it is as far as consequences, but the thoughts coming to the conclusions are very similar!
ReplyDeleteAnd, BTW, many forms of birth control actually prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the wall of the uterus, so if you, believe that life begins at conception like I do, then those forms of birth control is choosing to abort babies. Most forms or "the pill", the IUD, the "patch" and others do this and most doctors will not tell you this unless you ask them! And of course, the "morning after pill" does this as well.
As I said, more than anything, it's a matter of the heart, and no matter what you decide to do about "family planning" the most important step is to first pray about it and seek God's wisdom (the Bible) before making your "plan"!