what to do when they fall?

life in my heart, but sad to say, that’s

BFL became aware of these cases where it stayed. I thought abortion was
because there’s another group of here to stay, the law of the land. I
Christians at the clinics. “Sidewalk thought if I could just practice my
Are
counselors” serve as a last line Christian faith – faithfully go-
of defense for the unborn ing to church, faithfully telling
and their mothers. They see Your people about the Lord and
cars pull into the parking Attitudes how God can change their
in Order?
matters
lot, some with Christian lives – then I would surely
bumper stickers. They be tackling abortion from
1. Sexual sin is wrong
Vol. 8, No. 1 pray. They extend the that end. I still think that’s
whether it results in
love of Christ and the somewhat true.”
a publication of pregnancy or not
truth about abortion to It is very true, but as
any who will listen. They 2. Life is God’s gift no she now says, “Parents
Baptists for Life, Inc.
Christians at the clinics tell them about alterna- matter how a baby is should also talk about
tives to abortion and conceived abortion with their chil-
Many of us are prone to thinking abortion is something that only
P.O. Box 3158 happens to unbelievers. If that’s true, why do many self-professed offer to accompany them 3. Unborn babies dren.” If BFL can help you,
Christians end up at abortion clinics? to the local PCC. should not be pun- please let us know.
Grand Rapids, MI Lives have changed ished for their
• A young woman calls a pregnancy helpline to inquire about as a result. Women have What messages should
49501 [mail] parents’ sins
abortion. Even though she claims to be a believer and agrees walked away from the clinics we convey?
abortion violates God’s plan, she has concluded it’s what she’s with smiles on their faces and
“supposed to do” because she and her boyfriend had taken • Openness: “You can talk to me
5075 Clay SW, Suite C hope in their steps. They’ve re-
precautions. For her, adoption would be “too hard.” about anything.” 
ceived emotional and material support
Grand Rapids, MI • A “Christian” couple is divided over what to do. The young for the duration of their pregnancies, and • Willingness to help: “Whatever hap-
man says he’ll do whatever it takes to stop his future wife from beyond. Babies are alive today who oth- pens, we’ll face it together.”
49548 [street]
aborting, even if it means confessing to their parents. She’s erwise would not have made it, thanks to • Honesty and maturity about emo-

reluctant to spoil their “fairy tale” wedding plans.
616.257.6800 [tel] • A teenager obtains a judicial injunction so she can abort with-
out her parents’ consent. They are “wonderful” people, yet
616.257.6805 [fax] she can’t bring herself to tell them she’s pregnant. Her plan
is to attend Bible college (one that doesn’t accept unmarried
pregnant students) and to turn this “difficult experience” into
b4life@bfl.org [email] an opportunity for future ministry with youth.
www.bfl.org [internet] All three women sought abortions in Grand Rapids – “city of
churches” – during a three-week span in September of 2007. Our
hearts break over these stories that reveal seemingly rampant
sexual sin, an alarming depth of selfishness, and an amazing lack
of conscience among people who should know better.
What’s going on? Or maybe we should ask, what’s not going
on? Are people in churches being taught that although abortion
is controversial and “political,” it’s primarily a matter of the heart
requiring repentance and forgiveness? Do they know the suffer-
ing it causes? Do they appreciate the sanctity of marriage and of
human life? Do they understand what sexual sin is? Do they know
S
the tireless devotion of a few. tions: “I may feel hurt and get angry, but
adly, no one was standing watch I’ll never stop loving you.”
outside a Massachusetts clinic the • Merciful responses to any con-
day Laura Hope Smith died on fessed sin: “You are forgiven.”
the abortionist’s table. Or if they were,
• Compassion for others with un-
she failed to heed their pleas. Reported
planned pregnancies: “May I help?”
to be a “born again” member of a Bible-
centered church, the 22-year-old had no • Celebration of every baby’s life:
idea September 13, 2007, would be her “Thank you for not choosing abortion!”
last day, and abortion her final act.
While the highest rate of abortion be-
longs to women with a non-Christian re- Sources: Eileen Smith’s testimony (http://40daysforlife.
com/blog/?p=65); “Characteristics of Women Obtain-
ligious affiliation or no affiliation at all, 13 ing Abortions” (http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/
percent of those aborting identify them- 3422602.pdf); Resources: “Identifying High Risk Abor-
tion Patients” (http://www.afterabortion.info/highrisk.html;
selves as “born-again” or evangelical. “How Can We Prevent Abortion?” (http://www.bfl.org > Is-
Mystified by this statistic and by sues & Answers > Abortion > Preventing Abortion); “Will
her daughter’s actions, Laura’s mother God Forgive Me If I Have an Abortion?” (http://www.bfl.org
> Crisis Pregnancy? > Will God Forgive?)
Eileen admits she’d “always been pro-