“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'” Isaiah 43:1 ESV

We watched, stunned and appalled, the joyful reaction to the New York legislature and Governor granting the expansion of rights to take an unborn child’s life up until the moment of birth. We have watched silently in previous years as Alaska, Colorado, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont legislatures have done the same. We continue to watch politicians in Virginia, Illinois, and other state legislatures throughout the country advocate and applaud death as a solution to difficulty, disguising it as “health care” and “reproductive rights” while abandoning the real needs of our neighbors.

But “life” is not a political issue. It is a gift from God.

Psalm 146:3-6:

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;

We, as servants of Christ and in love to our neighbors, are compelled to speak these truths:

• We proclaim that Almighty God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – creates, redeems, and calls every member of the human race as His treasure forever; that Jesus Christ died to forgive sins and rose to defeat death; and that nobody’s age, appearance, experience, ability, or history can improve or impair this sanctity of life.
• We will courageously and compassionately proclaim God’s Law regarding life.
• We reject as evil the wanton taking of human life at any age, stage, or level of ability.
• We refuse to settle for killing as a remedy for anyone’s suffering.
• We will proclaim God’s grace and forgiveness to those who have committed sins against life.
• We will welcome and walk alongside our neighbor in their sufferings and difficulties.
• We will support in every possible way those who minister to people in difficult life situations.

May God in His grace, omniscience, and omnipotence grant us the wisdom, strength, and ability so to do.

For more information, go to http://www.lutheransforlife.org or https://www.facebook.com/LutheransForLife/