I Can't Add Anything to This List....It is Excellent!

http://thelowercase.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/15-excellent-points-that-must-be-made-in-the-abortion-debate/


Above is the link to the article....but below is a summary of the incredible list of points that should be considered when we have a discussion dealing with abortion: 


January 18, 2011


15 excellent points that must be made in the abortion debate
Posted by stephenleecavness under Uncategorized
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from John Piper:

1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother’s womb (except in the case of abortion).

2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.

3. Babies can sometimes survive on their own at 23 or 24 weeks, but abortion is legal beyond this limit.

4. Living on its own is not the criterion of human personhood, as we know from the use of respirators and dialysis.

5. Size is irrelevant to human personhood, as we know from the difference between a one-week-old and a six-year-old.

6. Developed reasoning powers are not the criterion of personhood, as we know from the capacities of three-month-old babies.

7. Infants in the womb are human beings scientifically by virtue of their genetic make up.

8. Ultrasound has given a stunning window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking, responding to sound. All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Virtually all abortions happen later than this date.

9. Justice dictates that when two legitimate rights conflict, the limitation of rights that does the least harm is the most just. Bearing a child for adoption does less harm than killing him.

10. Justice dictates that when either of two people must be inconvenienced or hurt to alleviate their united predicament, the one who bore the greater responsibility for the predicament should bear more of the inconvenience or hurt to alleviate it.

11. Justice dictates that a person may not coerce harm on another person by threatening voluntary harm on themselves.

12. The outcast and the disadvantaged and exploited are to be cared for in a special way, especially those with no voice of their own.

13. What is happening in the womb is the unique person-nurturing work of God, who alone has the right to give and take life.

14. There are countless clinics that offer life and hope to both mother and child (and father and parents), with care of every kind lovingly provided by people who will meet every need they can.

15.Jesus Christ can forgive all sins, and will give all who trusts him the help they need to do everything that life requires.

Criticism

I don’t know of anyone who longs to be criticized…not because we have all had bad experiences when it comes to being criticized, it is just one of those things that no one really enjoys! No one has to teach us not to like it - is kind of like eating beets - you don’t have to taste them to realize you don’t like them; there is just something in you that thinks, “These can’t taste very good!” This is how it is with criticism - none of us like it and many times it is given in a sinful, flesh driven, or even cowardly way that hurts to the core. Nevertheless, it is a way of life for almost everyone. It comes from the coach who wants the athlete to get better; it comes from the fan who wants his team to win; it comes from the commentator who is paid to nitpick and encourages other guys to call in and voice their opinion. But, it doesn’t start and stop in the sports arena does it? It doesn’t matter if it is an overreaching mother or mother-in-law, or a boss that is difficult… It can come from a loving parent or an abusive parent. It can help you, or hurt you deeply. If you have been a teacher, preacher, nursery worker, usher, piano player, soundman, light man, air condition controller or practically anything else, you have found that the church is certainly not immune to this. However, when the church is healthy and conducts itself the way Matthew 18 tells us to, criticism can be life giving. There is a classic work in the Christian life entitled The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter and, obviously by the title, he is speaking to Pastors…but I think this has application to all of us:


Because there are many eyes upon you, therefore there will be many observers of your falls. If other men may sin without observation, so cannot you. And you should thankfully consider how great a mercy this is, that you have so many eyes to watch over you, and so many ready to tell you of your faults, and so have greater helps than others, at least for the restraining of your sin. Though they may do it with a malicious mind, yet you have the advantage by it.*


Let me tell you…if you name the name of Christ, there are probably people waiting to do the enemy’s bidding and will step in to be your accuser. Need I remind all of us, that it is a good thing to have eyes upon us? Even when the criticism comes with malicious intent, we should thank our Lord that it enables us to stand strong! It reminds us that if we fail, we first and foremost do damage to God being glorified in our lives, but secondly we give the heathen reason to rejoice. So, I encourage you, and I, to be faithful to our Father - use the enemy’s minions to drive you closer to Calvary and not as an excuse to harbor bitterness. Our God truly is greater and truly is stronger! Thank Him for that!