(Psalm 2:3)
It is difficult not to get emotional when discussing abortion. Regardless of one's position on the subject, passions become aroused when speaking of the morality or legality of terminating one's pregnancy.
Pro-choice forces, mindful of centuries of abuse of women, declare that it is a mother's right, and her decision alone, to end her pregnancy. Pro-life advocates focus on the life of the unborn child and the gruesome, fatal procedures which actually end its life. While both sides acknowledge that abortion is legal in our society, the issue of whether it should be is at the center of the debate.
The Real Focus
That really should not be the issue at all. Where the debate should focus is on whose laws shall govern our land. The human spirit has long chafed against the laws of God:
"Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us." (Psalm 2:3)
The second Psalm pictures rebellious society shaking its fist in the face of its Sovereign and declaring independence. We refuse to obey him, mankind affirms, for we have our rights. Yet the reality of the situation is the theme of this Psalm, that of God the Father establishing the reign of Christ the King and advising planet earth to wise up and submit to his laws.
Let us briefly examine the two basic issues surrounding abortion, but let us consider them in the light of God's law. To do otherwise is futile (verse 1).
Women's Rights
First is the issue of women's rights. It is illegal in Christ's Kingdom to oppress, abuse, or treat unkindly any member of society, regardless of gender, wealth, occupation, or heritage. Our wise Creator established marriage in Eden and gave incomplete man a partner to love, protect, and value.
"The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam, not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved." (Matthew Henry)
But when this couple decided to take matters into their own hands and disobey the laws of God, sin entered the human race and drastically affected societal order. Ever since, both men and women have been selfish and wanting to domineer. The result has been thousands of years of disorder, conflict, and one group oppressing another in the name of "rights," even in religious societies.
Only through Jesus Christ is sin forgiven, grace restored to the home, and compassion reintroduced to society. Continued mistreatment today reflects continued disgust toward the laws of God and opposition to Christ's reign (verses 2-3). Women need not fear nor resist the Lord Jesus Christ. All the repentant will be forgiven their sins, defended by an Advocate, and protected by the Crown. The oppressed have always found shelter, relief, and deliverance, not by demanding their rights but insisting upon Christ's crown rights.
Life and Death
Second is the issue of life and death. Just as it is illegal in the kingdom of Christ to mistreat any of his subjects, so it is also unlawful to take one's life. Medicine has sufficiently established that the fetus is definitely living. Whether born or still in the womb, all are created in the image of God and are individually known and fashioned by the Creator. No man or society is permitted to play God or decree that some are undesirable or unworthy of life.
The cruel treatment, even slaughter, of countless millions of men and women down through history, whether before or after birth, has been the result of the lawless demanding its right to rape, plunder, enslave, and kill. All of God's laws have been the target of man's insubordination. And mankind, who has objected to the reign of Christ over its soul and its society, has suffered miserably.
"In these days, when so many are disposed to throw off the authority of God, and regard marriage and property as mere creatures of the law, which may be relegated or ignored at the caprice or will of the people, it is well to remind them that there is a law higher than any law of man, enforced by the authority of God, which no man and no community can violate with impunity." (Charles Hodge)
But our God declares his deep displeasure with man's scorn (Psalm 2:4-5) and announces the appointment of his Son as Ruler of this earth (verses 6-7). It is his intention to put an end to man's lawless tyranny and subject all nations to his reign (verses 8-9).
Better Law System
Wise societies and national leaders will fashion our laws after God's laws (verse 10). Only the fear of God will restrain and stop the bullies of history and today (verses 11-12) and give relief to those who suffer at the hands of others (verse 12). Women and children alike have nothing to lose but their shackles and their early graves under Christ's kind and compassionate rule.
Let the debate not center around peripheral issues. Let it be, instead, on whose laws will better govern our societies and afford equal protection to all. The imposition of the laws of godless men throughout history bears record as to which system of government is better.