Abortion and Euthanasia
Murder not only is a dreadful sin against God by taking away the life of one of His very own image-bearers; but it is also a civil crime for which He has prescribed death as the only just penalty (Ex. 21:12,14; Lev. 24:17; cf. Heb. 2:2).
Accordingly, premeditated murder should be outlawed in all societies by all governments, in any of its various forms, including abortion and euthanasia.
It is a grievous horror that so many governments have legally sanctioned abortion. And we can be sure that the government officials involved in making and sustaining the legality of abortion (and/or euthanasia) will give an account to the Supreme Judge of the world (Ps. 2:10-12, 9:7-8).
However, as stated elsewhere, just because something is legal does not mean it's not a sin if one partakes in it. So even if the government has disregarded God's command and has legalized premeditated murder in certain situations, if a society is to be righteous, it must not participate in such murders at all. Furthermore, a truly righteous society will do all that it legally can to prevent such atrocities from occurring by actively engaging those involved to cease from such unrighteous actions (Prv. 24:11-12; Lk. 10:36-37). This is especially incumbent on the church in society (about which you can read more here).
Nevertheless, even more horrifying than governments allowing "legal" premeditated murders to occur is that some governments even fund those murders themselves by means of government grants. Yet, we are still obligated to pay our taxes, even to governments that will use these funds toward such atrocities. Why?
When we pay our taxes, we're paying the government to do what it is supposed to do (protect human life and all the rest). Even if governments do not do this with the money we pay them, we still owe it to them for their ability to do what they're supposed to do.
Christ Himself said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's," (Mt. 22:21), and through His apostle Paul affirmed that Caesar himself then also has the responsibility to use what is rendered to him for God's own service (Rom. 13:1-7). Therefore, if and when he doesn't use what is rendered to him for God's own service - for that he will most assuredly give an account (Ps. 2:10-12; cf. Mt. 28:18; Rev. 19:15-16).
But as for the Christian responsibility, we must do all that we can to transform society through our own part in the proclamation of the gospel (Mt. 28:18-20; Eph. 5:11-14) - especially to those mothers who are considering murdering their own babies; we must do all that we can to help those mothers out so that they will no longer seek an abortion (Prv. 24:11-12; Lk. 10:36-37); we must do all that we can to speak out against abortion with passionate, humble persuasion (Prv. 16:21, 23; Eph. 5:11-14); and we must do all that we can to get all premeditated murders outlawed, in accordance with the just law of God (Ex. 21:12,14; Lev. 24:17; cf. Heb. 2:2).
Accordingly, premeditated murder should be outlawed in all societies by all governments, in any of its various forms, including abortion and euthanasia.
It is a grievous horror that so many governments have legally sanctioned abortion. And we can be sure that the government officials involved in making and sustaining the legality of abortion (and/or euthanasia) will give an account to the Supreme Judge of the world (Ps. 2:10-12, 9:7-8).
However, as stated elsewhere, just because something is legal does not mean it's not a sin if one partakes in it. So even if the government has disregarded God's command and has legalized premeditated murder in certain situations, if a society is to be righteous, it must not participate in such murders at all. Furthermore, a truly righteous society will do all that it legally can to prevent such atrocities from occurring by actively engaging those involved to cease from such unrighteous actions (Prv. 24:11-12; Lk. 10:36-37). This is especially incumbent on the church in society (about which you can read more here).
Nevertheless, even more horrifying than governments allowing "legal" premeditated murders to occur is that some governments even fund those murders themselves by means of government grants. Yet, we are still obligated to pay our taxes, even to governments that will use these funds toward such atrocities. Why?
When we pay our taxes, we're paying the government to do what it is supposed to do (protect human life and all the rest). Even if governments do not do this with the money we pay them, we still owe it to them for their ability to do what they're supposed to do.
Christ Himself said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's," (Mt. 22:21), and through His apostle Paul affirmed that Caesar himself then also has the responsibility to use what is rendered to him for God's own service (Rom. 13:1-7). Therefore, if and when he doesn't use what is rendered to him for God's own service - for that he will most assuredly give an account (Ps. 2:10-12; cf. Mt. 28:18; Rev. 19:15-16).
But as for the Christian responsibility, we must do all that we can to transform society through our own part in the proclamation of the gospel (Mt. 28:18-20; Eph. 5:11-14) - especially to those mothers who are considering murdering their own babies; we must do all that we can to help those mothers out so that they will no longer seek an abortion (Prv. 24:11-12; Lk. 10:36-37); we must do all that we can to speak out against abortion with passionate, humble persuasion (Prv. 16:21, 23; Eph. 5:11-14); and we must do all that we can to get all premeditated murders outlawed, in accordance with the just law of God (Ex. 21:12,14; Lev. 24:17; cf. Heb. 2:2).