Abort Hypocrisy

News.com.au reported early this morning Australians Chan and Sukumaran were among eight men executed for drug crimes in Indonesia.  Their families, fellow Australians, and the Australian government grimly hoped for an eleventh-hour reprieve, but it was not to be.  Whilst the Indonesian government spared the lone accused woman from the firing squad, the remaining eight men were executed.  Quoting Prime Minister Tony Abbott from the article, “Whatever people think of the death penalty... the fact is that these two families have suffered an appalling tragedy.  And I’m sure that ever Australians thoughts and prayers will be with those families.”  I agree, and certainly have been praying.  In a land where no crime is punished by death, seeing two young men executed for any drug-related offense committed ten years ago is nigh impossible for many Australians to process.

I grew up in the State of California, a place which has maintained the legal right to impose the death penalty for extreme crimes - though seldom used.  Even in that liberal State, capital punishment seems to have always been a source of controversy.  I remember well the news reports of candlelight vigils, hearing arguments for and against the death penalty, graphic testimony from witnesses, and the last words of the condemned.  It all came flooding back to me as the impending executions of Chan and Sukumaran drew nigh.  Around the clock on television, radio, and websites, multiple reports were broadcasted daily.  Concerned people at church wanted to discuss what was happening.  Facebook pages and comments by Australians even revealed anger, rage, and frustration.  Callers voiced their opinions on radio programs.  Though eight lives were brought to a premature end, the conversations will continue.

The death penalty for crime remains controversial, but it points to the ultimate fact:  everyone dies.  Whether our lives end suddenly in a car accident, in old age, or by a firing squad, our lives on earth are temporary.  The Bible explains the reason for this is due to sin.  God created man without sin, yet man willfully rebelled against God's command.  Adam was frankly warned by God beforehand if he ate from the tree in the midst of the garden, he would surely die.  And that is exactly what happened.  Adam ate from the tree, and his body began to die.  Adam's sin had far-reaching consequences which passed sin and death to all.  We have all sinned, and thus we will surely die.  God has said, "The soul that sins will surely die." (Eze. 18:20)  As sure as the law of gravity on earth causes a ball to fall to the ground when released from the hand, so a single sin brings death every time.

As I was praying about this yesterday, a thought pressed into my mind.  I have heard a lot of talk about the injustice of the death penalty of late, but I have not once in all my years in Australia heard a single person speak negatively about the abortion of unborn children.  Like in my home state California, abortion is legal in every state and territory in Australia.  If we count Indonesia as guilty for killing criminals, how guilty are we before God for slaughtering the innocent!  If our government seeks to take action against Indonesia by withdrawing our foreign ambassador for executing our citizens, what should a righteous, just God do concerning us for our crimes against His little ones?  According to Victoria's Betterhealth website, "Abortion is one of the safest and most commonly performed surgical procedures in Australia."  The most commonly performed surgical procedure?  Surgery - meant to saves lives - is now being used primarily to end them?  After reading this I just cried and cried.  Safe for potential mothers maybe, but clearly the most devastating procedure for the child involved!  Stories of the "Bali Nine" and the two condemned Australians have been aired with regularity in prime time, but did you know only South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory even provide statistics concerning Medicare funded abortions?  The most populous states are silent.  How can such a double-standard exist?  It is outrageous to plead for clemency for criminals in another country when daily, legally, and quietly destroy Australian babies God knits together in the wombs of mothers who should love them.

I will be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.  I cry out for those tiny beating hearts, "Mercy!  For God's sake, have mercy!"  I pray you can hear the love in my voice.  I don't want to be harsh, and my intent is not to hurt any who have already walked the lonely path of abortion.  We are all mortal, and the only hope for all of us who await the death of the body is Jesus Christ.  Every man is born condemned by his own sin.  God's the only One who can redeem execution for good, for God did so with His own precious Son.  God's the only One who can atone, forgive, and cleanse us from all sin and guilt.  God is able and willing to forgive repentant murderers.  I am glad of this because God sees hatred as murder, and I am guilty.  God knows how we suffer.  Jesus is a Saviour of souls.  He knows what we fear.  He knows the depth of our anger and bitterness.  He knows.  He still loves us and allowed Jesus to suffer and die so we could live.  Only God can turn our mourning to gladness, and in this I rejoice.