Subconscious Abortion

Abortion. It is an ugly word. It is a word that divides many, incites protests and violence, wounds and separates.

Abortion is medically defined as:

- Induced termination of a pregnancy with destruction of the embryo or fetus.
-Any of various procedures that result in the termination of a pregnancy.
-An operation or other procedure to terminate pregnancy before the fetus is viable.
-The premature termination of pregnancy by spontaneous or induced expulsion of a nonviable fetus from the uterus.

Generally speaking, Christians are largely seen as a group whose stance against abortion is staunchly pro-life. The argument is made that as soon as a woman’s egg is fertilized life begins; therefore the fertilized egg has the right to live, grow and be birthed into the world. Pro-lifers hold the position that even a mother who does not want her child, nor is capable of caring for her child, should not deny her child its right to life.

Adoption is listed as an option for a mother considering abortion. Likewise, there are many groups and individuals who devote their time and talents to provide the necessary support for a mother who is scared or not quite ready for the responsibility of motherhood. The support and options given often, literally, make the difference between life and death. 

Fast forward thirty years to the life of a child, now an adult, who was spared from being aborted in the womb. Maybe he is successful. Maybe his life is picture perfect. Maybe he is an addict. Maybe she has ‘been around the block’. Maybe they are living in the world, like the world, as fast and hard as they can. Maybe they cuss. Maybe they drink. Maybe they pray to a foreign god or no god at all. Whatever their circumstance, they seem ‘lost and undone’. They just don’t look like you or me.

They have been reduced to the ranks of one of many labels or stereotypes. They are disenfranchised, whether by choice or circumstance. They are seldom known by their given name. They are known by labels such as druggie, homeless, loose, ex-con, hopeless, ain’t never gonna change, dirty, less than, liar, thief, good for nothing….and the list goes on.

Let’s go a little further. This same person seems to cycle through their life from one struggle to the next. They repeat the same mistakes, the same bad behaviors…but they need help. Maybe they need food. Maybe they need a ride or a job. Maybe they want to hang out and talk about stuff, stuff that seems so far removed from where you have ever been or ever wanted to go in thought or reality.

What do we do? Surely there are other people more worthy or deserving of the help. Why should ‘they’ be helped? Maybe you think to yourself, "All they are going to do is squander what you give them or not appreciate it enough."

If a child struggles in the womb, doctors fight to save him.

If a child struggles in the classroom, teachers fight to educate him.
If a child struggles in the home, authorities fight to protect him.
When a child grows up, becomes an adult and struggles, society fights against him.

Abortion is also defined as:

-Something that is regarded as poorly made or done.
-Anything that fails to develop, progress, or mature.

We will fight hard to preserve a child’s right to life and we should. I support life at all stages. However, if we are not careful, we will easily commit subconscious abortion against the disenfranchised, the stereotypes and the ones whose names have been replaced with labels. We will abort the ones who seem to have become an inconvenience to our otherwise ordered and structured lives. We will abort the ones we have decided we just don’t want anymore. We will abort the ones we think aren’t trying hard enough, who don’t meet our predetermined requirements for our goodwill.

How do we subconsciously abort them? We remove them from our thoughts. We remove them from our lists. We reduce them in importance. We favor one over another. We compare them and they always fail and pale in comparison. Without realizing it we begin to play our own version of God.

We forget that we are simply called to plant and water the seeds of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We forget that it is God, Himself, who brings forth the increase. While God is no respecter of persons we often become judge, jury and executioner. We exalt and we put down.

We forget that there is power in the name of Jesus. We forget that He has power to save, heal, deliver, set free, redeem, enlighten, comfort and restore. We forget that God is love. We forget that love never fails.

Jesus told us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. He told us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. He did not include any clauses or any terms and conditions.

In the Book of 1 John the word, love, is listed 51 times. Here are a few of those listings:

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”  -1 John 4:8

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”  -1 John 4:10-11

 “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?  And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”    -1 John 4:20-21

Are people going to try to take advantage of us? Of course. What should we do? Love them anyway. No one likes to be taken advantage of, but we are told in God’s word to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We should walk in wisdom and be led by the Holy Spirit. Will there be times we can’t or shouldn’t help someone? Yes, but we need to be certain that we are acting in obedience to the Lord.

We need to check ourselves daily…our hearts, minds and attitudes. How do we view this world around us? What if the very life that was saved at conception is later subconsciously aborted by us? Let’s keep it simple. Let's lay aside our surgical instruments of judgment, self-righteousness, pride, smugness and any other tool used to perform our subconscious procedures against those whom we refuse to know, love and acknowledge.

Let's fight to love people from all 'walks of life' the way God instructs and may that love flow freely and be drawn from the depths of sincerity within us.