When considering an abortion, what people need, more than anything else, is truth and grace. 

Planned Parenthood tells us that one of the top reasons that women have abortions is convenience—“I’m not ready for a baby.” “I want to finish grad school.” “I don’t want to do the infant thing again.” Such desires need to be challenged by biblical truth. But the Bible says it would be murder to end a life that God himself created. Improving your life does not justify ending someone else’s.

For others, however, their spiritual need is grace. Since sexual immorality is a sin that sometimes “shows,” you might wonder what the church people will say, how they’ll look, how they’ll judge, even if you are repentant as Peter was after denying Jesus. 

Friends, these fears are real. So you and I need to show love. Evident, obvious, impossible-to-miss love. Smiles. Hellos. You-belong-here love. I’m-glad-you-came love. I-thank-God-that-you’re-considering-other-options love. Jesus-forgives love. Jesus is pro-me-and-pro-you-by-grace love.

One of my favorite descriptions of Jesus is when John writes that he “came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Jesus knew when to speak truth and when to show love, without watering down either one. 

God, help us do the same as we deal with the unplanned pregnancies in our lives. Amen.