God Loves Life: Physical, Eternal, and Abundant Life!

Erica told me, “I came to live here because my parents told me that unless I had an abortion, they would not allow me to live with them anymore. When I said ‘no’ to an abortion, they gave me a suitcase, told me to pack it and leave. For a while I lived with friends, but that didn’t work out. I also lived in a homeless shelter. Then I learned about this maternity home and came to live here.”

From 1998 through 2002 I worked at a Christian maternity home for teens and young women who had chosen life for their baby. During the first two years I was the Spiritual Life Director. It was a tremendous joy to share God’s love with the women. They often had no knowledge of God’s Word and knew little about Christ or what He had done for them. During those years 16 women came to know Christ. Others grew in faith. Seeing their faith begin and grow was an awesome and humbling experience. Over the years since then I have been asked to speak on ‘life’ issues. One of my favorite topics is “God Loves Life: Physical, Eternal, and Abundant Life.” Here’s why.

So often people that learn of organizations like Lutherans for Life (www.lutheransforlife.org) or Our Lady’s Inn (www.ourladysinn.org) that promote life issues and help pregnant women sometimes think only of physical life. They think of the birth or abortion of a baby. Or they think of adoption, abstinence, and end of life issues. Certainly God’s Word talks about physical life. Physical life is important. It begins in the womb and ends in the tomb. But, life, according to God’s Word, is more than just physical. It is also eternal. Let’s celebrate God’s love and life in today’s world. Celebrate the physical life God gives to all who believe in Him! “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being” (Gen. 2:7). “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…”(Jer. 1:5 a.). “Behold, children are a gift from the Lord” (Ps. 127:3). “Celebrate the eternal life we possess when we have faith in Christ! For he who finds Me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord” (Prov. 8:35). “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). “He who believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36). “Jesus said, I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25). “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me” (John 14:6).

Also celebrate the abundant life that can be ours as Christians in God’s Kingdom on Earth. “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Why promote and celebrate life? The Bible tells us about God’s love, the Gospel, and why life is important. Statistics also document why Christians need to promote and celebrate life. The Alan Guttmacher Institute in the United States tells us that 3,287 unborn babies are killed through abortion every day. One in four households consist of a single parent with one or more children. Children are having children. One point three children live with teenage parents, and only half of them are married. Sadly 50% of unplanned pregnancies are occurring within the Church. Women between the ages of 18 to 27 account for 65% of all abortions. Many young single women need assistance to learn how to be a good Christian parent. And sadly the secular world continues to encourage women who are pregnant and unmarried to choose death for their unborn child.

Now let’s review some statistics related to evangelism and mission work. The United States is ranked as the third largest mission field in the world. One out of every three adults (33%) in the United States is unchurched. This proportion represents 65-70 million adults in America. It may surprise you to learn that roughly 10 million ‘born again’ Christian adults are also unchurched.

Yes, the Body of Christ has challenges ahead. The American people elected the most pro-abortion president the United States has ever had in office in November of 2008. President-elect Obama has vowed to approve the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). Other issues that lost more ground in the recent election include the following: The State of Washington legalized assisted suicide; Michigan legalized unrestricted destruction of human embryos for research purposes; California said “no” to requiring minors to obtain parental consent for an abortion; Colorado failed to pass an amendment affirming that life begins at conception; South Dakota failed for the second time to ban most abortions in the state. (LifeDate—a quarterly journal of news and commentary from Lutherans For Life--Winter 2008).

Sadly, some Christians have given up. They said, “It’s too hard. We can’t win the battle for life.” Others have been influenced by the secular culture. The secular world and now even some who claim the name of Christ are opposed to the message that values life from the womb to the tomb. Some still don’t understand the issues—some because they are not educated about the issues and others because they don’t have a personal relationship with the Lord of Life.

We must continue to proclaim that God is for life. He created life: physical, eternal, and abundant life. So, let’s not just talk about physical life. Let’s also promote the eternal life that is ours through faith in Christ. Jesus Christ suffered and died for each and every person so that they could have eternal life. His suffering and death brought life. We must remember and proclaim that His death on the cross was for all people…those who are for life and those who are pro-choice.

Today many pro-life ministries are in a David and Goliath spiritual battle. Christ-centered agencies like Lutherans for Life with small budgets are coming up against large million dollar businesses and organizations that are against pro-life issues. Remember the above story. David won the battle because the Lord was with him. Please note that I am not promoting any physical battles, but rather encouraging your spiritual support through prayer and financial support to the many fine pro-life organizations.

Why not join me and others within the Body of Christ in praying that God will continue to give us courage to proclaim ‘with love and Godly patience’ the Word of Life to a dying world. “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness…” (John 1:4-5).

Kay L. Meyer is the president of Family Shield Ministries (www.familyshieldministries.com) and the new Development Director for Lutherans for Life (www.lutheransforlife.org).