I write this on Friday, January 20, the day of the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. Thousands of people will gather there to celebrate the sanctity of life. Some call them “foes of abortion”, “opponents of abortion rights”, “anti-abortion activists” and other negative terms to try to portray them being on the wrong side of this important moral issue. I call them heroes of the faith.

The Ten Commandments forbid taking an innocent human life (Exodus 20:13). Psalm 139:13 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Jeremiah 1:5 teaches us that God not only forms us in the womb, but that he has plans for our lives even before we are born. There are other Scriptures that deal with the sanctity of life, but these are all we need in order to know God’s position on the issue.

This Sunday, January 22, 2023, marks the 50^th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that essentially legalized abortion on demand in the United States. Since then, over 64 million babies have been aborted. What a tragedy! What a cruel and blatant disregard for the value of human life!

This Sunday has also been designated as “Sanctity of Life Sunday”. Christians and churches all across America will take time to celebrate the sanctity of life. Followers of Christ will be encouraged to pray and to act in ways that will promote the value of life.

We have seen what happens in a nation that devalues life. Child abuse happens frequently. Mass shootings become commonplace. The elderly are mistreated and neglected. Domestic violence happens more and more often. Violent crime escalates. Surely you have connected the dots by now! Vicious attacks on innocent people are directly related to the value—or lack thereof—that our society has placed on the life of a human being.

Science tells us that every baby that is aborted already has a heartbeat. Common sense should tell us that abortion stops a beating human heart. We have already looked at what God has said about the matter. When science, common sense and the Word of God come together, abortion becomes unthinkable!

Still the debate rages on, with people on both sides of the issue showing themselves to be zealous for their cause. The Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade last year, a decision that gives the states the right to set the laws concerning abortion. Hopefully this will set us on a path towards becoming a kinder and gentler nation.

How should we Christians proceed in our efforts to promote the sanctity of life? Here are a few suggestions.

First, we need to be familiar with what the Bible says on the issue. We have to know God’s truth in order to combat Satan’s lies. When you know the truth, the truth will set you free—free to understand what’s right and free to act in ways that will promote the cause of righteousness.

Second, we need to speak up for the unborn who cannot yet speak for themselves. Don’t avoid a conversation about abortion. Speak the truth with love.

Third, vote pro-life. Your vote does matter. We can make a difference at the polls. Those who accuse us of being political should be informed that this is a matter of righteousness. And those who claim to follow Christ, yet maintain that this is a political matter should be encouraged to take their “Jesus” out of the little box they keep him in and let him truly be the Lord of their lives.

Next, we need to offer grace to anyone who is truly repentant for any sin that they have committed concerning abortion. Whether they have had an abortion themselves, or have driven someone to an abortion clinic, or paid for someone else to have an abortion, or have spoken in favor of abortion or have unknowingly supported abortion with their uninformed vote, there is forgiveness available. The precious blood of Jesus is powerful enough to wipe away any sin.

Finally, let’s keep praying about the matter. Pray that God will change the hearts and minds of people so that abortion will be seen for the evil that it is, and that the sanctity of life will be understood for what it is—a wonderful gift from God!