Bright Wings

Because the Holy Ghost over the bent World broods with warm breast and with Ah! Bright Wings.

February 13, 2010

The Local Church: An Instrument for Life

Let me give you some reasons why I preach a sermon on the sanctity of human life every year, and will continue to do so as long as God allows me to serve as a pastor:

1. I am convinced wholeheartedly on biblical, theological, philosophical, medical, and legal grounds that a baby is a human person made in God’s image at all stages of development from the moment of conception and should be treated with the same respect and rights of all other persons in our free society. We live in a society that either does not regard such beings as persons, or does regard them as persons and subjugates their personhood for personal comfort, economic stability, convenience, choice, emotional stability, etc.; and in fact is killing such persons en masse. To live in such a society and remain relatively silent and relatively inactive is a sin. 

2. I can think of no greater crime against humanity and rebellion against God than the legalized and systematic extermination of an entire class of persons (and that class of persons being those in greatest need of our care and protection). To not use the stewardship of this pulpit and my calling as pastor to prophecy against such crime and rebellion would itself be a sin.

3. To not address the sin of abortion publicly in the context of the assembling of God’s people and the worship of God would be to deny and ignore our corporate and individual guilt before God, and would withhold the promise of reconciliation and restoration for sinners and the promise of hope and joy through repentance and faith. It would be to withhold the greatest promise from the people in greatest need.

4. To refuse to address sin and destructive forces in our culture, city, churches, and homes for whatever reason - because it might raise the ire of people who might disagree with our convictions, or because it may cause discomfort, be received as politically incorrect, or might diminish my own influence and reputation would be the height of tyranny. It would be placing our own fears of disdain, our collective desire for comfort and convenience, or our desire for influence and reputation over and above the very lives of other persons, namely the 1.3 million unborn Americans who are killed every year in the womb.

5. Because I have ultimate hope in God that he uses His Word, and the Word preached to change hearts through confession and restoration, to inspire His people to love and good deeds, to save those lost in darkness, and bring justice to the needy. I have great hope in the instrument of His activity in the World, namely the Local Church, to accomplish his work by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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posted by Erik Braun