When a sperm and an egg cell unite, a most unique and wonderful miracle occurs: life begins. This tiny single cell, no bigger than the period at the end of this sentence, now contains all the genetic materials needed to allow this most precious life to begin its journey through time.
This one cell, deep within its mysterious chambers, has the ability to divide and subdivide into over 30 trillion cells by the time it reaches adulthood. Over 7 billion of these 30 trillion cell packages exist today, each unique and yet alike. Each began in the same way: as one cell.
In America during the past 10 years, over 15 million of these little bundles have not been allowed to take their first breath, but have been terminated by “legal abortion.”
The question of abortion is incredibly important, since it is now estimated that close to 40 million of them are performed worldwide each year. A great proportion of the countries in our world, not just America, allow for legal abortions. If our definition of when life begins is wrong, then history will record our era as one of unprecedented genocide.
In 1973 the United States Supreme Court, in the Landmark Roe v. Wade decision, ruled that abortion was legal. The vote was seven to two in favor of legalization. Since then, abortion has become the second most common surgical procedure (after circumcision) in our country. While Roe v. Wade has basically been overturned, each state can still allow abortions to take place – and many still do.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Blackmun reflected the thinking behind this monumental decision:
“We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary. . .is not in a position to speculate as to the answer.”1
In 1857 our Supreme Court was also involved with another landmark case. By a six to three margin, the “highest court in the land” ruled that blacks were “non persons” (slaves), had no freedom, no civil rights and could be bought and sold as property at the will of their masters.
If our Supreme Court could have blundered so severely in the Dred Scott Case of 1857, could it also just be possible they made a mistake that has cost over 60 million lives?
The Bible has consistently taken its stand that life begins at conception. As one reads the Scriptures we can quickly see how God tells us of His plan for these precious little ones, including you and me. (Psalm 139:15-16) says:
My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy Book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.
God knows all about us before we are even born. Listen to the words of the Lord as He spoke to the great prophet Jeremiah:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.
(Jeremiah 1:5)
Concerning the miraculous birth of Jesus, we read:
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.”
(Luke 1:30-31)
As we study the Bible we can see that God tells us of the birth and exploits of many people before they are even born. The following list gives us some further examples:
Isaac (Genesis 17:19)
Samson (Judges 13:3-5)
John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-17)
Samuel (I Samuel 1:10-20)
For all of these men, at the moment of conception, the foreknowledge of God became the reality of life. From that point on, to have aborted these babies would have been to blot out the wonderful futures God had planned for them.
In tomorrow’s Part II of this devotion, we will continue to share some more provocative thoughts on this incredibly important topic.
1 93 Supreme Court 705 (1973), Justice Blackmun.
It is so clear how life is so sacred and precious to God! He is the giver of life and no one should take it but Him.