Practical application of Pentecostal theology in politics, economy and social issues
Suppose you have counseled against an abortion. The woman still chooses to proceed with the abortion and asks if you would accompany her to the clinic or hospital. How would you respond?
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
(NET) Matt 5:19 So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands
and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of
heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be
called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
There are some commentators who says it signifies exclusion from the kingdom of heaven, ie. hell; whereas some argue that they remain in kingdom as least, meaning they remain saved in heaven. Which one is accurate? Is Christ giving a provision for small sins here or giving no provision at all?
For example, Daniel Whedon commentary:
Many of the best commentators understand this as signifying that he
shall be excluded. Yet such, surely, is not its exact meaning. Clearly
to be least IN the kingdom of heaven is far less than shall in no
case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Heinrich Meyer’s Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament mentions:
He is not to be excluded (as Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Calovius,
Wolf, Bengel, and others have misinterpreted the meaning of ἐλάχ.
κληθ.), because his antinomianism is not a principle, not directed
against the law as such, but only against individual precepts of the
law, which in themselves are small, and whose importance as a whole he
does not recognise
Johann Albrecht Bengel’s Gnomon of the New Testament
Mat 5:19. Αύσῃ, shall break) The antithetical word to this is
ποιήσῃ, shall do, which occurs further on in this verse. The Scribes,
who thought themselves “great,” were in the habit of breaking them.
The same verb, λύω, occurs in Joh 7:23; Joh 10:35.—τούτων, of these)
those, namely, which follow in Mat 5:22; Mat 5:28, etc.—τῶν ἐλαχίστων,
of the least) These precepts, “Thou shalt not kill,” etc., are not
essentially the least, for in them the whole law is contained. But
they are so only inasmuch as, when rightly explained, they regulate
even the most subtile affections and emotions of the soul, and the
slightest movements of the tongue, and thus, when compared with other
precepts, appear to men to be the least.—ἐλάχιστος, least) Referring
to the preceding ἐλαχίστων. An instance of Ploce.[191] As we treat the
Word of God, so does God treat us; see Joh 17:6; Joh 17:11; Rev 3:10.
“A little” signifies “almost nothing,” whence “the least” comes to
mean “none at all” (for they considered anger, for instance, as of no
consequence whatever); cf. in Mat 5:20, “ye shall not enter.”
ἐλάχιστος; has a different force in this passage from that which ὁ
μικρότερος (the least) “in the kingdom of heaven” has in ch. Mat
11:11.—ἐν τῂ βασιλείᾳ τὼν οὐρανῶν, in the kingdom of heaven) which
cannot endure the presence of the unrighteous.—ποιήσῃ καὶ διδάξῃ,
shall do and teach) The same order of words occurs in Act 1:1.—ποιήσῃ,
shall do them, sc. all; for it is not lawful to break or neglect even
one of them.—οὗτος, this man, he) A pronoun used emphatically. Comp.
with this use of οὗτος, ch. Mat 7:21 (Latin Version[192]); Luk 9:24;
Joh 7:18.—μέγας, great) All the commandments are of great account to
him, especially in their full compass[193] (see Mat 5:18); therefore
he shall be called great.
SJ Newell
I would treat it the same as if the child were already born and she was asking if you would accompany her and the child to a location where it would be killed.
So pass.
Crissy Ramirez
I would go. Meditate and pray the Lord intervenes. If she still goes along, continue to pray and support. Abortion isn’t easy especially if she came to you.
I would go
John-Mark Neal Hales
No way! Sometimes the most loving option is the harshest
Ricky Grimsley
Would you go to a bar and sit with a parishioner while they got drunk?
Gideon Swords
Go! sometimes people just need another person regardless of whether or not they agree with them she knows you don’t agree and you counseled her otherwise and she still wants you there
Gideon Swords
Everyone makes wrong decisions and our job is to remind people that they are more than those decisions and they are called to the inherent good in which God created them in his image
John-Mark Neal Hales
I’m willing to bet you don’t believe in excommunication, do you Gideon?
Mandy Mash Hamon
What if, at the last minute, she doesn’t go through with it because of something you said to her on the way there? Go. Encourage her to save the child. Pray with her before she goes in. Just never stop trying, never stop praying, it is a matter of life and death!
Mary Katherine ORear Tippitt
No i wouldnt go. Itd be just likely assisting in the sin. No. Its murder.
April Schluckebier
No, I would not go. We can’t “go along”…we must stand!
Ricky Grimsley
Devil’s advocate …..In the Old Testament God wasnt necessarily against killing children or pregnant women in certain circumstances. Deuteronomy 2:34 KJVS
[34] And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain:
Nathan Ridgeway
You should not ask this question unless you know the answer. What would you do?
Mary Katherine ORear Tippitt
The commandments clearly state THOU SHAL NOT KILL.
Greg Baldwin
Question before I make an observation
Did the counselor tell her abortion is murder?
Christopher Noel Boggess
My conscience will not allow me but i will be praying for you
Varnel Watson
Terry Wiles What kind of liberal view question is this now – loosely constructed and morally loose? In what capacity have you counseled – a friend, a pastor, a chaplain, a social worker, a parent, husband or a doctor? Suppose you were the doctor performing the abortion it may help if you were present.
Randy Buchanan
I would accompany her and continue to try to convince her not to go through with the abortion. If she still chose to do so I would continue to treat her the way Jesus treated the Samaritan woman and the woman taken in adultery. He answered their questions, dealt with their sin without condemnation and as a result others were brought to Him because He showed love without condemnation.
Nathan Ridgeway
Varnel Watson
Randy Buchanan you would accompany in what capacity?
Bill Terrell
James said if anyone lacks wisdom let him asked God who gives freely,also the Holy Spirit is our guide night is like day to God,every situation and person is different we are talking about two lives,what do you want to do lord manifest your power and wisdom in this situation show me what to do.
Scotty Searan
Jesus did go and eat with the sinners, but no where can you find Jesus going into an establishment or business of ill repute such as a barroom
I do not believe that Jesus Christ would treat this any different than any other murder. Murder is sin. Would Jesus Christ go with someone to kill and rob another
Jesus has already given his wisdom in his word on this issue.
Bill Terrell
Yes the Bible holds the wisdom but the problem isn’t the Bible it’s Man interpreting things according to the flesh the same thing the Pharisees did with the woman caught in adultery that’s why we have the word of wisdom and knowledge and God knows the heart of Man eye has not seen nor ear has herd the things God prepared for them that love Him but He has revealed it to us by His Spirit.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Andrew T. Stube
If you were at a mixed Chinese, Christian and Anceterral worship would you wave the incense wands?
Dennis D. Niles
Godly inspired common sense would say…NO!
Varnel Watson
Scotty Searan I would still like to know in what capacity. We cant be shooting blind advice in this group when we dont have all the facts together
Scotty Searan
My wife and I was faced with the question of abortion with our youngest son.
The gynecologist said there was 90% chance he would be born with birth defects..
He will be 38 years old December 26. If there was anything wrong with him, and I don’t call it a birth defect, He was hyper. But that’s boys for you.
Now I have counseled 2 young ladies in our neighborhood. One followed my wife and I advised and did not have an abortion.
Yes, my wife, was faced, even after we coucil the other one, with being asked to carry her to have an abortion. My wife would not take her to have an abortion. My wife had been carrying the young lady to the Dr., but it would have been a late term abortion. I was working. But we both counseled the young lady extensively.
But here is the odd thing. She said the My wife and I was faced with the question of abortion with our youngest son.
The gynecologist said there was 90% chance he would be born with birth defects. prayer with us and we thought she was coming along well, because we shared the Bible with her. But when my wife refused to take her to get an abortion she called my wife and me about anything she could say including profanity. She has refused to have any contact with us since then.
Randy Buchanan
The thing is if all we as Christians do is “intervene” when it is easy for us then we’re not living the Christ centered life!
Christians, every single one, are meant to be ambassadors and ministers to those we encounter daily.
Do you really think it is an easy choice for people to make and to get an abortion? Of course not! Agape love requires availability during all stages of pain, turmoil, indecision and sorrow. If we are not willing to make ourselves available people will find others outside of the body of Christ who are! That will drive them further and further away from Christ! Why? All because we want to say, “look what I stand for! I won’t associate with sinners because they sin!”
I’ve got news for you! Sinners sin! You did before coming to Christ and I did before coming to Christ. That’s because the sin in inherent and stays that way until redemption through Christ!
Jesus was know for hanging out with publicans and tax collectors! He drank wine with them (not grape juice.) He always went out to the people! He made Himself available.
He brought healing through word, deed, and revelation. That’s the portrait of the Spirit filled life painted by the Creator!
If so called believers want to pontificate about their righteousness while doing nothing but condemning people for being who they are, sinners, those believers, like the Pharisees before them, have their own rewards!
I’d rather be willing to take a chance of spoiling my “reputation” and reach others to keep them from the eternal fires of hell than to stand back and do nothing!
Varnel Watson
Terry Wiles I see your point – is it the wrong choice to support a wrong choice? John-Mark Neal Hales Your attempt for Biblical clarity here is well recognized Here is a straight Biblical example – would any active pastor here support Mary the Mother of Jesus in abortion after she realized Joseph was not the father? ( I do hope for the sake of defeating recent liberal voices in the group yalls answer is No!)