The Supreme Courts Decision To Overturn Roe V. Wade

Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled that there is no inherent right to abortion found in the constitution. They will now allow the states to make their own laws regarding abortion. Governor Charlie Baker said that abortion will be protected in Massachusetts and Michelle Wu also came out in support of abortion for the City of Boston.

Ok, now, as your pastor I must wade into difficult waters. I have prayed and thought about my response since the leaked opinion in May. I did not post on social media because I find knee jerk reactions unhelpful. This is made even more difficult because of our church's opinion on this matter. I don't have any hard statistics on this, but through my relationships with those in the church, I would guess our church is split about 50/50 on the issue of abortion. Even saying that, few people have a hard stance in either direction. Most are conflicted about the nuances of abortion and struggle with the right way to care for women and children. There is no doubt this is a difficult subject, and I will probably make everyone mad on every side. But I have never been a politician who seeks to make everyone happy and you should not want a pastor that shepherds in that way.

A few months ago we had a heated discussion on this issue in our Community Group. I think it was helpful to hear from everyone (That's what CGs are for!). I have made my stance on life clear to many of you through CGs and sermons. I am pro-life from womb to tomb. What I mean is that I believe human lives, image bearers of God, must be valued and protected at all stages of development. My wife Allie, and I have lived this ethic out when abortion became a real option presented to us for sweet Levi, my son with Down syndrome. I also believe that vulnerable women should be cared for. This is why our family has and does give to organizations that help women and children in crisis.

From a practical standpoint, nothing has changed for our church. We will continue to help vulnerable women and children in crisis. We did that before the Supreme Court’s decision, we will continue to do it now.

Now, I think in our church, we must have patience with people who disagree with us. This is the hard part of unity. This is where the rubber meets the road in terms of our love for each other. When we agree, love is easy. But a commitment to love is most needed in times of disagreement... when it's hard. Can we disagree with each other on a deep level and still treat each other with love?

Jesus tells us that the distinguishing mark of his disciples will be their love for one another, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Loving each other when it's easy is common. For love to be extraordinary, it must happen when it is hardest.

In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 the Apostle Paul defines love like this, "Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Let us live out the extraordinary love of Christ that defies societal categories. Let us not allow the devil to split us on this issue.

I hope that this subject is not off limits in our church. You're all extremely smart people (wicked smart if I do say so myself). We are better when we hold to the Scriptures and sharpen each other through discussion, debate, and hard questions. Talk about this week's landmark decision with love, patience, and humility, listening to others who have different convictions.

Tomorrow, "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor" (Romans 12:10).

In his concurrence, Chief Justice Roberts gave some helpful words of wisdom regarding those on the court striking down Roe and those wanting to uphold it. He said, "Both the Court’s opinion and the dissent display a relentless freedom from doubt on the legal issue that I cannot share." Let it not be said of us that we have a “relentless freedom from doubt.” That would be arrogance. May we strive for humility, that we may consider that we might be wrong. Then, may we have the security and curiosity to pursue truth and justice.

Tomorrow, I will not be preaching on abortion. I will be preaching on the church in Thyatira. A church that allowed a false teacher to take hold. It's titled, "The Rise and Fall of Thyatira." It will be helpful for all of us as we discern truth from lie in church leadership.