The question of God’s forgiveness is central to Christian theology. The scriptures repeatedly affirm God’s grace, mercy, and compassion. However, a disturbing trend has emerged, particularly within the context of abortion, where individuals seem to invoke God’s forgiving nature as a justification for intentionally terminating a pregnancy. This raises a critical and troubling question: does the understanding that God is forgiving inadvertently lead to more abortions, cheapening the profound gift of divine grace?
It is an unfortunate reality in certain circles that individuals contemplating or proceeding with an abortion may rationalize their actions by stating, “I know that God is forgiving and can and will forgive me”. This sentiment, while acknowledging a core tenet of Christian belief, twists it into a dangerous premise for intentional sin. The very notion that one might deliberately act contrary to divine commands, relying on a presumed future forgiveness, reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of God’s grace.
This issue is not isolated to the context of abortion; it extends to all areas where individuals might be tempted to intentionally commit sin. The grace of God, a gift beyond measure for those who deserve condemnation, is reduced to a mere license to transgress. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer articulated in his book “The Cost of Discipleship”, this mentality embodies the concept of “cheap grace”. Cheap grace takes the biblical understanding of God’s mercy and compassion and perverts it, suggesting that God is obligated to forgive regardless of one’s attitude or intention to continue in sin. This flawed logic essentially declares, “Well, if God is compassionate, then I have license to act any way I want, and he’s obligated to show his compassion and his mercy and his forgiveness”.
The Apostle Paul addressed a similar perversion of grace in Romans chapter 6, posing the rhetorical question, “Should we sin all the more so that grace may abound?”. This question, arising from the understanding that God’s grace is amplified in the face of sin, is met with Paul’s emphatic and visceral rejection: “May it never be!”. This forceful denial underscores the fundamental incompatibility between a true understanding of God’s grace and the notion that it provides a justification for continued or premeditated sin. God’s grace is not a loophole to exploit but a transformative power that liberates from sin’s dominion.
The deceitfulness of sin lies in its ability to take even “biblical gold nuggets” and twist them into something “horrifying and ugly”. In the context of abortion, this distortion manifests as the argument: “If God is glorified in being a God who forgives, then we should sin all the more so that God can forgive more and therefore be more glorified in his kindness and mercy”. This twisted logic suggests that intentionally committing the grave act of abortion somehow magnifies God’s grace. It mirrors the perversion of other divine gifts, such as sexual intimacy within marriage, which some might misuse as a license for lustful or predatory behavior simply because it is a gift from God.
Within the pro-life movement, this issue of cheap grace is frequently encountered. Individuals planning to abort their unborn children often express the sentiment, “Well, I know God will forgive me”. This statement creates a dilemma for those working in pregnancy help centers. While they affirm God’s capacity for forgiveness, they cannot endorse the intentional destruction of an innocent human life by suggesting that forgiveness is a foregone conclusion or a justification for the act. It’s crucial to understand that while God is a God of grace, mercy, and forgiveness, He is not obligated to forgive everyone, and His forgiveness is not unconditional in the sense that it excuses a lack of repentance or a continuation in sin.
The temptation to rationalize sin based on God’s forgiveness often stems from a self-serving desire to alleviate guilt without genuine repentance or a change of heart. This perspective misses the core purpose of God’s grace, which is not to enable sin but to deliver from its power. True saving grace leads to a turning away from ungodliness. As Titus 2:11-14 states, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works”. This passage highlights that saving grace is transformative, teaching us to say no to temptation and empowering us to live in a way that pleases God. Any understanding of grace that does not lead to a renunciation of ungodliness is likely a form of cheap grace, failing to grasp its true, life-altering nature.
The issue of “exceptions” further illustrates the flawed thinking associated with cheap grace. Some individuals who generally hold pro-life views may create exceptions for themselves if faced with an unintended pregnancy, reasoning that their personal circumstances justify an abortion. This highlights a self-serving application of moral principles, contrasting with a consistent understanding of the sanctity of human life. It is important to clarify that interventions in life-threatening situations for the mother, such as in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, are not considered abortions as the intent is not the killing of an innocent human being, even if the death of the child is an unavoidable consequence of saving the mother’s life. Abortion, by definition, is the intentional killing of an innocent human being.
A personal anecdote serves to further illuminate the contrast between cheap grace and true grace. A speaker recounts a past involvement in petty theft during adolescence. However, upon experiencing God’s forgiveness through the gospel of Jesus Christ, a radical transformation occurred. Forgiveness was not the end point but the entry into a new life marked by a desire to honor God and serve others. The individual moved from being a thief to a donor, illustrating the transformative power of genuine grace that leads to good works and a changed heart. This personal testimony underscores that true grace leads away from sin, not towards it.
The initial scenario of the woman seeking prayer for forgiveness before her planned abortion provides a powerful case study. The immediate response was a firm refusal to participate in such a request. To ask God to forgive an act one is about to intentionally commit perverts the very nature of forgiveness and borders on a conspiracy against the unborn child and against God’s grace. It would be akin to asking a loving father for permission to assault his daughter, a request that would rightly elicit anger and offense. A loving God would similarly be grieved by such a presumptuous request.
The response to the woman focused on helping her recognize the perversion of her request and the deeper issue of trusting God. If one can trust God for forgiveness after sinning, then surely one can trust God to provide for the needs associated with bearing and raising a child. The temptation to seek forgiveness in advance of intentional sin is often a tactic of the “devil,” who may lure individuals with the false promise of God’s mercy only to later condemn them with guilt and shame. True faith involves trusting God for provision and guidance in difficult circumstances, not presuming upon His forgiveness as a license to act against His will.
In this particular instance, the woman and her partner chose to come and speak further, ultimately deciding to keep their baby. This story highlights the potential for redemption and the power of guiding individuals towards a true understanding of God’s grace. The ministry involved in such situations often witnesses profound stories of transformation, where individuals turn away from “evil thinking” and embrace the path of righteousness through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The story of Jeanie Pernia further exemplifies this transformative grace. Having been involved in the abortion business and even undergoing an abortion herself, she later came to know the Lord. Her experience was not one of forgiveness as a license to continue in evil but as a deliverance from it. The very abortion clinic she was involved with was transformed into a pregnancy help clinic, a powerful metaphor for her own life’s conversion. Her testimony resonates with many, illustrating that true grace leads to genuine forgiveness and liberating power, inspiring others to seek the same transformative encounter with God.
In conclusion, the idea that God’s forgiveness might lead to more abortions stems from a fundamental misunderstanding and perversion of divine grace – a concept known as cheap grace. True saving grace, as revealed in scripture, does not provide a license to sin but rather empowers individuals to turn away from ungodliness and live lives that are pleasing to God. The act of intentionally seeking forgiveness in advance of a planned sin, such as abortion, misconstrues God’s mercy and undermines the transformative power of His grace. Instead of presuming upon God’s forgiveness, individuals facing difficult pregnancies should be encouraged to trust in His provision and embrace the life that He has created. The numerous stories of redemption and transformation underscore that God’s grace, when rightly understood and applied, leads not to the destruction of life but to its preservation and flourishing, compelling individuals to renounce evil and embrace a life of good works motivated by gratitude and a desire to honor their Savior.
This article is adapted from the episode transcript.