“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

It is no accident that our Declaration of Independence lists “Life” first among the rights given to us by God. John Locke, a philosophical mentor to our Founders, listed these “Natural Rights” as “Life, Liberty and Property”. Without the right to life, we have no need nor ability to exercise the remaining natural rights. Locke goes on, after establishing that God is the source of these natural rights, stating that they “oblige everyone”, that every life is “equal and independent…for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent and infinitely wise Maker”

“The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions: for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent and infinitely wise Maker” – John Locke

On this anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I cannot help but feel that the words of our Declaration of Independence continues to only be applied to those that our culture deems worthy of their God-given rights. These natural rights at different times in our history have been lost on certain peoples with the most egregious being enslaved Africans, until the 20th century brought, I believe, the greatest assault on natural law in all of history…abortion.

Although, the number of abortions in America is not known, it is estimated that over 57.5 million lives have been lost to abortion since Roe v. Wade in 1973. It is not a reach to title abortion, “America’s Holocaust”.

The Supreme Court Justices who decided Roe v. Wade not only defied Natural Law, they also ignored the Tenth Amendment of our Constitution  which states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” This ruling is a blatant offense to the Constitution and to Life.

So many times in history, men and women have been so moved by their faith in God that they act. They act in bold and principled ways to right the wrongs against the natural laws of Life, Liberty and Property. Giants of faith like William Wilberforce, George Washington, Harriet Tubman, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Martin Luther King Jr all had a burning desire in them to stand against those that would attack one of these God given rights and so made their mark on history.

The fight for Life today is no different than the challenges faced by those Christians before us. Our modern world presents many challenges for women and childbirth. We as Christians must stand in support of both these women and their unborn babies while at the same time fighting these so-called physicians and politicians that want nothing more than the power and money that is the abortion industry.

There is hope, and our voice is being heard; voices of love and determination. The birth of the crisis pregnancy center all over this country provides the answer to the question “What would Jesus do?” by an outpouring of Grace and love on young mothers whether they decide to keep their babies or not. Do not forget Jesus had is righteous anger side shown against the money changers in the Temple. There is a fight against those that would keep the killing of babies legal.  Texas passed HB2 in 2013 that closed 13 abortion clinics overnight simply by demanding consistent and safe medical conditions for women.

What can I do?

First, know that no deed is too small. Contact your local crisis pregnancy centers for volunteer opportunities.  Many of them also take donations. Contact your elected officials at both the state and federal level. There are many organizations like National Right to Life and Online for Life that are doing great things at both the legislative and grassroots levels. There are organizations like Embrace Grace that directly sponsor young mothers with love and blessings.