What does it mean to be pro-life? We are familiar with the term when it comes to the debate over abortion or assisted suicide. Is it relevant to other situations? What about obeying laws that protect the public? Do you drive responsibly: obey the speed limit, be alert, drive sober, stop at stop signs, observe proper distancing? Do you adhere to safety codes? What about your money? Do you give to life giving causes like clean water projects, food relief, health care for the under served, etc?
Does being a Christ follower require me to amend my behavior in order to benefit others? What if it is uncomfortable and/or inconvenient?
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Col 3:9-11 (ESV)
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18 (ESV)
We are called to put on Christ. When we are saved (sins forgiven, allegiance switched, submitted to the inner work of the Holy Spirit) everything changes. We no longer live motivated by self. Christ becomes the author of our motivations. Think of it like a garment. We are to take off our self, lay it aside, pick up Christ, and put him on.
To be pro-life is more than asking something different of someone else’s behavior. Preserving life is costly to all of us. To be pro-life is more than asking pregnant women to carry their babies to term, or journeying with someone through illness and death. Being pro-life is an entire worldview system. To be pro-life means you too are willing to carry some of the burden others carry. It is costly to us all. It is worth it.
What will you do today to be pro-life? Will you learn about a pro-life issue? Will you challenge the way you think about others and the situations in which they are mired? Will you give time or money to a cause that brings life to others? It is worth it!