I can still hardly believe the news. The overturning of Roe v. Wade is something I’ve hoped and prayed for but didn’t think I would see in my lifetime.
This is absolutely cause for celebration and praising God. I know I did and still am. The overturning of Roe means the literal saving of innocent lives made in the image of God, and it is possibly, hopefully, the beginning of the end of the scourge of abortion.
However, the response online from many Christians in some ways soured the celebration for me. The majority of posts were positive and befitting of Christians. But I saw several posts which, though they fit in perfectly with the normal pattern of online engagement, were in opposition to how Scripture calls us to behave as Christians. So, as we praise God for this historic day, here’s some thoughts on how not to celebrate.
Don’t Gloat
Let’s not use this time to rub “I told you so’s” in the face of our opponents.
In the 1930’s Winston Churchill virtually stood alone in England in his opposition to Hitler and calls to military opposition. He was politically exiled, scorned by his colleagues, and laughed at. After appeasement was shattered by Nazi advance and war was declared, Churchill gave a speech in Parliament. Never was a man more entitled to remind others that he told them so, wrote William Manchester.1 Yet, his speech was the epitome of graciousness and charitability toward his opponents, not taking one opportunity to rub it in their face, but instead insisting, “If we quarrel with the past we may lose the future.”
Haughty eyes and arrogance are an abomination to the Lord (Prov. 6:16-17; 16:5). What do we have that we have not received from God (1 Cor. 4:7) including regenerate faith in God’s Word which is the basis for our belief in the sanctity of life? Let another man praise us, not our own lips (Prov. 27:2). Let’s not use this time to celebrate something God has done to pat ourselves on the back for the fulfillment of our own political prophecies.
And leave room at the celebration for Christians who wanted to see the overturning of Roe but disagreed on how that battle should be waged. Though we may have disagreed on the means, we can be united in the goal and its fulfillment.
Don’t Revile in Return
Christians should expect opposition and hostility. The apostle John writes, “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you” (1 John 3:13). Yet, our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Php. 2:5) who when he was oppressed and afflicted “opened not his mouth” (Isa. 53:7) and “when he was reviled, he did not revile in return…but continued entrusting himself to the one who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). We don’t need clever put downs and come backs, because we’ve entrusted ourselves to the one who will come back. Our job is to “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5) but we do so as kind-hearted servants of God. Christian engagement with opponents of God’s Word is to be done graciously as outlined in 2 Timothy:
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:24-26
We patiently endure evil, we are kind to everyone, we bless those who persecute us (Rom. 12:14), we “repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all” (Rom. 12:17), we put away bitterness, wrath, anger and have malice toward none (Eph. 4:31). These are the biblical guidelines for Christian engagement.
Don’t Denigrate Nuance
Don’t harshly criticize other Christians who supplement this wonderful news with other truths Christians hold dear for the sake of others listening. Many pro-choice advocates will see Christians celebrating this news and will assume we don’t care about the hardship of women experiencing unexpected pregnancies. Christians should want to persuade others of the sanctity of life and of the Christian command to have compassion toward others who are suffering. The two aren’t mutually exclusive. We should walk in wisdom toward outsiders (Col. 4:5), and that sometimes means saying things publicly that often don’t need saying in private conversations between Christians.
Don’t Miss Eternity
As we celebrate this day let’s not forget the great commission. We, as Christians, are called to persuade others and implore them to trust in Christ. A crucial place to start is remembering how God saved us. Were we more savable in God’s sight than our cruelest opponents? Were we any better than those who seek to vandalize crisis pregnancy centers? Did we deserve God’s mercy more than them? We were enemies of God, “hated by others and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). Spiritually speaking we were no better than the angriest face you can imagine screaming outside the Supreme Court. “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared he saved us” (Titus 3:4-5). God had mercy on us that we might be an example to those who are to believe in him for eternal life (1 Tim. 1:16). And he’s made us ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19-20). We are Christ’s ambassadors! How sad if in our celebration of God saving life, our actions and words would be used to alienate people from eternal life. As we celebrate God saving those made in the image of God, let’s not curse others made in the image of God.
It’s time to celebrate. This is a historic day and cause for rejoicing. God has heard the groans of his people and has answered our prayers. But as we celebrate let’s not forget how we are called to act as Christians.
William Manchester, The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Alone, 1932-1940, (New York: Bantam, 1989). 536.
Mike McGregor
Mike McGregor (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is Director of College Ministry at First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. You can follow him on Twitter at @m5mcgregor.
