Before we confront the scourge of abortion, we must address the deeper scourge of alienation from God.

The response to the Supreme Court’s overturning of its 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion decision in June 2022 has been fierce. There were acts of violence, protests, and determined efforts to challenge any restriction on abortion. Some have even claimed that since the Dobbs ruling, abortions nationwide have unexpectedly increased through greater distribution of abortion pills.

As pro-life Christians, how should we navigate the abortion issue with family, friends, coworkers, community leaders, and others?

Focus

Abortion is among the most heinous actions people commit against the most defenseless human beings in our society. Yet, our preeminent focus remains the salvation of souls.

Our prime directive is to spread God’s message of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is called the Great Commission because of the one who gave it (the Son of God) and the magnitude of the assignment—to evangelize the world.

While Jesus originally commissioned the apostles, Scripture teaches that this mission belongs to all believers (Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Peter 3:15).

Evangelizing the world carries eternal consequences. We are to feed the hungry, heal the sick, defend the endangered, and speak up for the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8) because these actions reflect Christ’s sacrifice for us. Yet all this is subordinate to our commission to share the gospel. This is not an either-or choice, but a hierarchy of priorities—with gospel outreach at the top. That is our focus.

Truth

The reaction to the Dobbs decision caught many off guard. Some wondered if the court went too far in overturning Roe v. Wade. But truth does not cease to be truth simply because public sentiment shifts.

Biblically, the teaching is clear: At conception, there is life (Psalm 51:5). In the womb, there is life (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13-16; Luke 1:41). Apart from God’s expressed command or permission, it is wrong to take a human life (Deuteronomy 32:39; Exodus 20:13).

Modern advocacy for abortion rights is often disguised under the language of reproductive freedom. Don’t be deceived. The abortion-rights community understands that a life is lost in abortion. We value freedom, but not the freedom to take another’s life.

The truth must prevail.

Staking a claim to truth is a serious responsibility requiring both knowledge and completeness (John 8: 31,32). You cannot embrace some truths while ignoring others.

The temptation is real to pick and choose the parts of God’s Word that fit our comfort zones (2 Tim-othy 4:2-4). When we ignore the full counsel of God, we misinterpret what is happening around us and even misunderstand our own prosperity and comfort. Even the apostles, who preached with authority, were examined through Scripture as a test of integrity (Acts 17:11).

It is good to know that it is wrong to end the life of an unborn child. It is better to know what else God says about life and our responsibilities toward it.

Introspection

Solving life’s great moral dilemmas takes more than righteous decrees. It is easy to point an accusing finger at those who kill unborn children. Beware, however, of the plank in your own eye (Matthew 7:3,4).

We live in a culture obsessed with comparisons—better, faster, richer, stronger, smarter, prettier. That does not work with God. Scripture reminds us that no one has greater standing before him based on performance: “There is no one righteous, not even one; . . . all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10-23).

When I was younger, I noticed that what disgusted me most in others often existed in me. When I saw pride, I saw my pride. When I saw unkindness, I saw my unkindness. As I have aged and studied Scripture, this has proven even more accurate. I see my faltering faith in Peter’s doubts. When Paul calls himself the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), I think, I have you beat.

Introspection separates Christians from the ideologue. The ideologue condemns abortion and judges accordingly. Christians also recognize the wrongness of abortion but see themselves as sinners too. They identify the sin yet embrace the sinner as one with a broken relationship with God.

Access

Do you still remember your prime directive? Sharing Christ’s message of salvation. Before we confront the scourge of abortion, we must address the deeper scourge of alienation from God. To do this, we need access—an avenue of understanding between you and those you must reach.

We learned this from Jesus. Much to the dismay of religious leaders, Jesus made his mission field among “tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 9:10,11). He sought out the sheep who needed a shepherd. Jesus excused no sin but focused on restoring the sinner.

By decree or by law, I cannot change the heart of someone who wishes to terminate her unborn child’s life. What I can do is stay focused on sharing Christ.

In the way we talk about abortion—and to those who have aborted or performed abortions—what is our goal? By what we say and do, are we carrying out the Great Commission or simply making a point and trying to win an argument?

Every word and action builds either a wall or a bridge. The religious leaders in Jesus’ day were wall builders (Luke 18:11). What are we building when we react to the abortion issue?

Demeanor

In fall 2023, a reporter asked how I felt about Planned Parenthood resuming abortions in the state of Wisconsin. I said I was disappointed but not surprised. She asked what I planned to do. I told her that my goal is to be so loving, caring, and sacrificial that even with legalized abortion, it becomes the least desired of all options.

By decree or by law, I cannot change the heart of someone who wishes to terminate her unborn child’s life. What I can do is stay focused on sharing Christ. I want to walk in truth as my guide and remain a well-read student of God’s Word to understand his will.

With focus and truth, I will then be introspective—striving to purge self-righteousness and arrogance that can so easily entangle me when I have the truth. Then I want to begin bridge-building to reach this mission field.

My concern for others begins with one-on-one conversations as I seek to understand what drives someone to the point of believing that killing an unborn child is the only solution. I can do this on my own. I do not need a budget, volunteers, or a board of directors. This is where I start.

In time, I seek to do collectively what I cannot do alone. I support organizations like Christian Life Resources, state Right to Life groups, local food banks, and homeless shelters. I ask others in my circle of friends and family to join me. Together, we may one day open a pregnancy care center, a health clinic, or another home for single mothers.

As correction comes with great patience, so does activism. It is not a popular time to be a pro-life Christian in many parts of North America. In a world naturally opposed to God, that killed the only perfect man ever to have lived, this will never be easy.

But under God’s blessing, it will surely be right.

Learn more about Christian Life Resources.

Author: Robert Fleischmann
Volume 113, Number 1
Issue: January 2026