Why Love Life Does What We Do

It is important to have a biblical and strategic framework for everything we do as a ministry. With the recent reports of President Trump pardoning people involved in “abortion rescue” activity, we felt it was important to discuss why Love Life Ministry is not involved in this aspect of abortion ministry work.

Rescue in the context of abortion ministry is a term that is used to describe a method of nonviolent direct action in which one defies existing law in order to put their body between an abortionist and a baby scheduled to be killed. That may take the form of sitting in front of the abortion center door so people cannot enter. The rescuer is knowingly trespassing and is in violation of the FACE Act. The FACE Act (The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) is a federal law that was enacted with the stated intention to protect people seeking abortion services. It was passed in 1994 in response to increased violence against abortion clinics and providers.

The rationale for Rescue is that innocent babies are dying due to unjust laws. Therefore, the proponents of this method say they should do everything in their power to rescue the babies in a non-violent manner. We at Love Life would agree with both of these statements. However, how we go about ministering is different. It is very important to note that we are not making a case or statement about whether
Rescue is a legitimate form to fight abortion. We do not mean any disrespect or disparagement of those who believe Rescue is the best form of intervention. Our intention with this article is to provide the rationale for what Love Life does in Sidewalk Outreach and why we are not involved in using the Rescue method.

While the Rescue method is clearly stated as non-violent, abortion proponents will sometimes use the rationale of Rescue to goad and taunt pro-life people. Please note, the rescue proponents do NOT condone violence. They are peaceful and prayerful in their non-violent intervention. However, our opponents often attempt to deceive and disparage all pro-life groups’ intentions. Pro-life people will often make comparisons between the unborn and a toddler to make a point about the need to intercede at abortion center sidewalks. If the children in the womb were two-year-olds, people would be outraged by the systematic slaughter. The devil, (and
some pro-abortion people) would use this point to shame and accuse us of hypocrisy. Would we use violence if necessary to stop a gunman from shooting a two-year-old? Then, why are we not taking similar physical action to stop the abortion? Why are we not storming the building every day? Again, let me reiterate so there is no confusion on this point: we nor rescue groups condone violence.

Our Biblical Perspective for Why We Do What We Do
We at Love Life sign a pledge to always operate in a non-violent manner. We also strive to obey the laws governing abortion clinic access, trespassing, noise/sound ordinances, city and state laws. We operate sidewalk outreach ministry within the boundaries of those limitations because of the following reasons.

1. The child in danger of abortion is distinctly different from the two-year-old or anyone outside of the womb in a very important way. Both are made in God’s image and both are of infinite value. However, we can realistically snatch the two-year-old out of danger. We cannot do that with the unborn child. Because he is in the mother’s womb, we must convince her to save her child.

2. Preventing an abortion is a matter of the mother’s heart. We believe that this is won with persuasion and the Gospel. This is practically carried out in the long term with Christian Discipleship. (“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16

3. The Devil had no interest in crucifying Barabas. He wanted to destroy God, Jesus, an innocent man. His lack of success at the Cross carries over into his desire to destroy the image bearers of God.

4. We are ministers of reconciliation, not tools of judgement. (“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,” II Corinthians 5:18 )

5. If we were to do rescue ministry resulting in arrest, who would be speaking for the children that die day after day at the abortion centers? (“Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 )

6. A mom can turn away today and come back tomorrow. We may block her access one day, but she can go to a different clinic or just return another time. Therefore, Christian witness, proclamation, conviction, and discipleship is the most effective way to save the baby. (“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2)

7. Oftentimes, those coming to abort are in panic, a state of confusion, and fear. The effective use of the three talking points (God, humanity of the baby, resources) can bring clarity and a more rational assessment of what she is facing. Once the baby is safe, we can continue to disciple and help her into a relationship with God that will ultimately change her heart. (“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7)

8. The weapons we have are not carnal. While blocking an abortion center may be a public act that brings attention to the issue of abortion, we are called to fight spiritual darkness with spiritual weapons. Prayer, fasting, Holy Spirit conviction, and the Word of God. (“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5)

9. When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, His disciples at first resorted to violence. Jesus Himself stopped them. If ever there was a justification to oppose injustice through radical intervention, that seemed the time. God had other plans. This was literally the Gospel unfolding as the ultimate source of rescue.

10. Sometimes radical displays become self focused, and self glorifying. On the other hand, the furtherance of the kingdom is meek and unimpressive. (“Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.” II Corinthians 10:1)

11. We are effective using the method we use. Babies are saved, abortion workers are leaving, churches are awakening, pastors are proclaiming the truth about abortion, mothers and families are coming to faith, and lives are being transformed.