"Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe."
Romans 4:13-16 (NLT)
Paul's reminder is pretty clear. God's law is for everyone who believes. God's forgiveness is his gift for everyone who believes, too.
This passage also highlights another important reminder: the necessary "right relationship with God that comes by faith" for the existence of God's promises to matter.
Those of us who labor on behalf of the unborn and their families often hear the argument "if you don't like abortion, don't get one." We're told that legislating protections for the unborn is legislating our religion.
But for the women and men desperately seeking abortions in the United States, all they see is a problem that they've been told only abortion can solve. And they believe this lie from the culture.
For many, abortion isn't just a choice. It feels like the only choice.
As a Pro Abundant Life people, we pledge to overturn Roe v. Wade in our hearts. This removes man's legislation from the picture entirely, and restores us to God's truth: Life begins at conception and is worthy of protection.
We also pledge to embrace Christ. Through His sacrifice on Calvary, we are no longer subject to the tyrannical (and fruitless) pursuit of perfection under the law. There is grace enough for the worst of our transgressions in Christ Jesus. There is no situation beyond His redemptive power.
God's law is for all who believe, and so is His precious blood-bought forgiveness.
But until everyone proclaims the sovereignty of God, His people are obligated to keep pointing them back to Him.
This week, please join me as I pray:
- For parents—both inside and outside of the church—who are considering abortion for their unborn children, that they would turn away from the world's answers and towards the God who loves them and plans to prosper them, not harm them.
- For American voters and policymakers, that we would repent of any self-righteousness in our lives and fervently seek the Lord's guidance in the laws that we pursue and champion.
- That our hearts would break for the things that break God's heart, and that we would be moved to compassion and action in service of the most vulnerable among us.
Miss a week from this year's Lent series? Catch up here:
Week 1: https://www.care-net.org/get-involved-blog/never-too-insignificant
