Defense of Life Remains the Church’s Largest 2013 Victory

on December 31, 2013

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:57

For Evangelicals, the word “victory” typically triggers memories revolving around the grand moment we dedicated our lives to Jesus Christ or a time we led another through prayer to know His forgiveness and redeeming love. In 2013, undoubtedly we can thank God for the millions who have found victory in Jesus. Indeed, these moments are the Church’s triumphs through Jesus Christ, but they are victories which unfold in the private realm of each individual’s heart.

So as 2013 closes, let us remember, too, the Church’s largest victory in the public square: redeeming the lives of the unborn. Because it is nothing short of a miracle when, during the year that the nation’s abortion giant receives it largest income yet, that a record-high number of abortion clinics cease to exist.

There are an estimated 4,000 pro-life ministries supported by the Church that are committed to caring for women, their unborn babies, and their health.  In 2013, pro-life Christians were busy unveiling the murderous reality of the multi-billion dollar abortion business while walking the halls of their state legislatures, writing letters to their local newspapers, attending pro-life rallies, and on their knees in prayerful petition.  These faithful efforts carried great success.

According to National Right to Life, Planned Parenthood’s 2012-2013 annual report revealed that the abortion conglomerate received over $1.2 billion in total revenue, its largest income to date. All this money accompanied by lobby power and media influence that flowed in and out of Planned Parenthood last year, however, did not preclude Christian pro-life advocates from defending the sanctity of the unborn.

An astounding record of 87 surgical abortion clinics across the country ceased their abortion services during 2013, reported LifeNews which noted, “The total number of surgical abortion clinics left in the U.S. is now 582. This represents an impressive 12% net decrease in surgical abortion clinics in 2013 alone, and a 73% drop from a high in 1991 of 2,176.”

Much of these abortion clinic closures and suspensions are due to the pro-life communities’ outrage after abortionists Kermit Gosnell stood trial for the gruesome murder of at least seven viable newborn babies and one woman in his deplorable abortion clinic.

No matter how hard pro-abortion activists tried, there was no covering up the gruesome reality of abortion clinics that the Gosnell trial brought to light. And thanks to Believers’ pro-life efforts, states like Virginia, Arkansas, North Dakota and Texas implemented increased health and safety standards for abortion clinics, whose closed doors mean saved lives.

In just 21 days, hundreds of thousands of pro-life Believers from every state will gather in Washington D.C. to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the annual March for Life, a peaceful demonstration against the U.S. Supreme Court’s deadly Roe v. Wade decision. Consider rallying your church or small group to take part in this inspiring and march through our nation’s capital to honor the 52 million precious victims lost to abortion.

Abortion is the formative human rights issue of our time. Yet secular society, and sadly even the Religious Left, attempts to downplay the realities of abortion. This is why it is imperative that the Church continue to stand firm on the frontlines of the pro-life culture battle again 2014 and beyond, never forsaking our God-entrusted responsibly to seek justice (Micah 6:8) for our brothers and sisters, no matter how small or vulnerable.

  1. Comment by Didaskalos on December 31, 2013 at 9:34 am

    Abortion is the only “service” continuing to flourish at Planned Parenthood. Small wonder. Behind only the dollars wrung from unwilling taxpayers, Planned Parenthood’s second-biggest moneymaker is abortion. According to the latest Planned Parenthood annual report, contraceptive services have dropped by 12 percent since 2009, and cancer screening & prevention services are down 29 percent in the same four years.

  2. Comment by T Kenneth Lewis on January 5, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    In the Ten Commandments in the Bible, it reads the LORD’s Ten Commandments, in one of which, The LORD commands, “You shall not kill.”

  3. Comment by T Kenneth Lewis on January 5, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    Jesus also answers the question as to the greatest commandment with two quotes from the Torah.
    In Deuteronomy 6:5, it says we are to “Love the LORD, your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Then, The Lord quoted from Leviticus 19:18b where it is written that we are to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

The work of IRD is made possible by your generous contributions.

Receive expert analysis in your inbox.