Do Not Insult the Spirit of Grace

“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries... Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”

Hebrews 10:26-27, 29

Introduction of Issue

This is a scripture I ponder often. If we KNOW the truth (and we do...because it is written on our hearts and in the Bible), then we are in very dangerous territory if we say we will disregard what God desires and count on His forgiveness. These verses are a dire warning. Do NOT presume upon God’s grace to save you if you willfully walk in sin. As these verses tell us, that is an insult to the spirit of God’s grace and forgiveness. God says do not murder. No exceptions because of our circumstances. We must not sin knowingly and believe that God MUST forgive us. These verses above challenge that false thinking.

What We Hear Repeatedly on Sidewalk

In our work at the abortion center, we will hear many variations of this theme: God loves me; God knows what difficulties I face; thus, God will forgive me for what I am about to do. The difficulty in addressing this lies in the fact that God DOES love us. He DOES know everything including all the circumstances and difficulties we face. He DOES forgive us our sins. So how do we deal with the twisting and insulting of the concept of God’s grace?

We have dealt with this issue in varying ways many times in our articles and podcast. However, it is such a pervasive issue that we are going to press into it and how to deal with it in greater detail in this article.

First, Agree with What is True

We should acknowledge the scriptural truth of what the moms are asserting. First, it is true God is loving, forgiving, and all knowing. God does choose to extend mercy and grace when we deserve Hell for our actions. God does know our heart and our motivations. God does not desire any of us to perish.

Secondly, Counter False Statement with Scripture

God is a God of love, but He is also a God of justice. It is not justice for a mother to kill her innocent child. Many verses speak of God as loving righteousness and justice.

Psalm 33:5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 32:4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

Romans 13:4 For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

God is a forgiving God, but we should not trample on His mercy or presume upon His forgiveness as an excuse to sin. If we continue in sin when we know the truth, God warns us that there will be dire consequence.

Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

Hebrews 10:26-27 “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.”

God knows our situation but does not change His commandments based upon our struggles. There is a period after the 6th commandment, not a colon with the list of exceptions. Additionally, struggles will be a part of life, but God does not tell us that those struggles revoke His word. We will struggle, but we take heart not by circumventing God, but by knowing He has overcome the world.

Deuteronomy 5:17 ‘You shall not murder.”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”” I often ask the women when they talk about God’s forgiveness before the abortion: “Are you asking His forgiveness or His permission to sin?”

Thirdly, Offer Help in Specific Areas of Struggle

While nothing justifies abortion, the women we encounter at abortion centers overwhelmingly do face very hard situations. Often, the circumstances are the result of poor choices or outright sin. However, the troubles they face are real, and often overwhelming.

We do not want to promote a lifestyle continuing in sin, but sometimes the help we offer can be the catalyst to positive change. Many women are eager for our help and begin a relationship with us or a mentor based on how we can help. Our goal however is to transfer that trust from things we can offer to help them in a practical way to trusting ultimately in the Lord. When we show we care through addressing physical needs, they are often more ready to accept discipleship in spiritual needs. An important warning as we attempt to meet needs: Be careful not to be complicit in promoting ungodly lifestyle choices. For example, while I may be willing to pay for a hotel for a week for a homeless mom, I would not let her boyfriend stay there as well.

Fourth, NEVER Neglect Sharing the Gospel

There is little doubt that abortion-determined women may make a tentative choice for life but return to abort either soon after that choice, or in later pregnancies. What solidifies a choice for life both at once and in the future is a sincere heart change. A true conversion of a soul to Jesus is the only real solution to the problem of abortion. We must never neglect the Gospel.

At times, it is scary for us to introduce the Gospel. We fear that they will reject the message, be angry at the messenger, and respond by taking the life of the unborn child. We have done many podcasts on how to graciously segue into the Gospel. This is a recent video I made to help show how I share the Gospel with abortion minded women. (https://youtu.be/MxPvkXpffpI?si=AtukyEdG5j6mGkf9 )

However, despite our discomfort, the mom is more likely to stay true to a choice for life if she responds to the Gospel with a confession of faith. Often, they are not eager to hang around for long at the abortion center, having just fought a huge spiritual battle. I always try to get their number and call them later to share the Gospel. The sooner, the better!

Fifth, Discipleship is Key

Mentorship is key in helping the moms to continue growing in faith and righteousness. We should always offer a mentor. It is best to offer all help contingent on them accepting a mentor. This is invaluable in helping them remain firm in the choice for life, and to make life changes that will decrease the likelihood of them continuing the path that led to the abortion center in the first place. While an uncomfortable subject to address, sexual morality MUST be discussed. Sharing scripture on this topic will be the most powerful way to promote change. I share scripture in conjunction with pointing out that the struggles they face that landed them at the abortion center could have been avoided by following God’s protective guard rails regarding sexual morality.

Sixth, The Abortion Vulnerability is Likely to Continue for a Time

We should all be prepared for the likelihood of waffling between a choice for life and abortion. When things are challenging, sometimes even months after a choice for life, women do sometimes wonder if they made the right choice. It is not unusual for them to threaten abortion when we do not meet all their needs. Knowing that women are abortion vulnerable for a long time helps us prepare for it more effectively. Mentors should continue to reaffirm the scriptural basis for protecting and loving their babies. We should all be clear in our own minds and communicate to the women that whether needs are met or not, nothing justifies killing an innocent baby. The ongoing discipleship and teaching about living a life truly committed to Jesus and His Word is necessary. Warning moms of satanic attack and temptation to return to old patterns can help them be better prepared to manage those periods when they come.

Seventh, Remember Results are up to God

We can do everything right and the mom may yet return to abort. Sanctification may truly be starting in the life of the mom, but the temptation to return to old ways can be powerful and our enemy is crafty and persistent. It is so important to warn moms that this may happen. We cannot let our hearts be burdened with guilt if things do not go as we hope. That is not our burden to carry and will rob us of the hope, optimism, and joy in the Lord we need to persevere.