Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources

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Some people are more concerned about their horizontal relationships (with others and with themselves) than they are about their vertical relationships (with God). To change hearts we must migrate people from a horizontal to a vertical mindset.

Understand Human Nature

The Apostle Paul wrote, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:15,18-19). Even the great Apostle Paul repeatedly fell victim to his human nature. For reasons that defied even Paul’s understanding, we do the things we are not supposed to do. Everyone is tempted to forget God, and those moments of amnesia result in sinful choices, sinful acts, and, sometimes, tragic deaths. If the most spiritual of people face this problem so especially do the lesser spiritually inclined. That is why you must point and direct, guide and nudge with patience and the resolve to connect people with God.

Understand Despair

Knowing that the child in the womb will soon be the child in their arms is frightening for some. Despair brings rash and often sinful decisions. Remember when Peter denied Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75)? In the middle of the trauma, you must be the calm voice of hope (2 Timothy 4:5).

Start with the Basics

Most people are uncomfortable with killing human life. Even the heathen know it is wrong (Romans 2:14,15). Use Gods Word to talk about the humanity of unborn life. Point out that it exists already at conception (Psalm 51:5). Hard to believe, isn’t it? Life at conception doesn’t look like much. In God’s opinion, however, at conception, there is already accountability for sin. It is human life at conception. God then reinforces the humanity of the unborn child in the way His Word describes it. Look at what Psalm 139:13-16 says about growth in the womb. Consider the humanity of what was in Elizabeth’s womb that jostled when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, came into the room (Luke 1:41). Note that the word for baby in Luke 1:41 is the same Greek word used in Luke 18:15 to explain mothers bringing their babies to Jesus. God sees them as the same. Even modern advocates of abortion acknowledge that in abortion a child dies. They simply claim it is a sad but necessary evil.

Deal with the Consequences

We can self-righteously claim that they made their bed and now must sleep in it but that doesn’t wash with God’s Word (ref. Matthew 25: 31-46). Once a person has had the change of heart to do what God wishes for them to do, it is good for us to step in and help them live a life making correct decisions. The goal is to connect people with God. Be that arrow, pointing up, and then be that open hand, ready to help live with God-pleasing decisions.