Children should be happy. One of the Bible predictions about the future is that, when Jesus reigns, “the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets” (Zech 8.5).
One test of a nation’s moral character is its treatment of the innocent, the weak, and the vulnerable. If such members of society live in fear of abuse, mistreatment, or death, it seems obvious to all right-thinking people that there is a moral deficiency in the nation.
Children should live free from such fears. They will one day. They certainly do not now.
Children are not safe in the streets. They are not safe in the schools. They are not safe (often) in their own homes. Sadly they are not even safe in the womb of their mother. How cold, callous, and celebrative of wickedness must a nation be to rejoice in the slaughter of infants? Is this how society improves? Should we slaughter the innocent for the sins of the guilty?
All reasonable discussion of this (and many other subjects) seems to be at an end. People live on sound-bites and have forgotten how to think. Evidence can be, and has been, presented time and again to show that the unborn is a precious human person. Evidence has also been given to show that abortion is often detrimental to the health of the mother. But many don’t care. Why? Because people want absolute personal autonomy — we don’t want to be crippled with the consequences of our own actions. If removing a consequence means destroying a child — then, so be it.
However, the nature of reality is that there will always be a consequence to face. God has appointed a day of judgment and we are all heading towards that day as fast as time can take us. Those who have broken his laws, and never received his forgiveness, will experience his judgment. There will be justice. The Judge on that day will judge the facts of the case impartially, with full knowledge, and with inflexible righteousness. I am glad that there will be justice. Not because I want people to suffer — I don’t — but because I want people to know that there is a right and there is a wrong.
Of course, I deserve judgment from God as much as anyone — I too have broken God’s laws and sought personal autonomy above submission to his authority. How can I hope to escape judgment? Simply because Jesus is my Saviour and Substitute. At the cross he voluntarily took the punishment I deserve for the sins I committed and satisfied justice on my behalf.
One day, realising my sinfulness and, willing to hand over the reins of my life to the Lord, I trusted him to save me. I’ve never regretted that day.
Forgiveness is available to all. Through the Lord Jesus Christ salvation can be obtained. Repent (acknowledge your sin and guilt) and believe (place all your hope for eternal salvation) in Jesus Christ. Take him as your Lord and Saviour and face the day of judgment with confidence. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8.1).
Written for FTMP by David Williamson.
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