Proverbs 31: 8-9 reads, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Christians are called to defend pre-born boys and girls, who are threatened by abortion. They are among those "who cannot speak for themselves". They have no voice. They cannot speak, write, vote, lobby, protest, sue -- in fact, they can't even pray! They are truly among those Jesus called "the least" of His brothers and sisters.

We must rescue them from death. We must be on fire with zeal to help people realize that every abortion puts a real human person to death! Proverbs 24: 11 gives us our marching orders: "Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter." The next verse then warns us not to be callous or indifferent to their plight, and not to use any excuses. "If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this', does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?" (v.12).

Many Christians are only marginally concerned about abortion. Yet abortion is a serious violation of justice against the lives of innocent, defenseless persons at the rate of 4400 per day (some 1.6 million per year) in the U.S. alone. Christians are called to work for JUSTICE. How can one be concerned for justice and not defend the unborn? The prophet Amos brings us strong words from God to those worshipers who do not seek justice: "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" (Amos 5: 21-24). God can say these words over and over today to those who worship Him but say, "I'm pro-choice" or "I think a woman should be able to have an abortion", or "I'm not concerned about abortion". God challenges such people to look the unborn child in the face, to see the image of God there, and to hear their cry for JUSTICE and life!

Those who are alert to this cry must, in turn, cry out to others. We must never be silent about the slaughter of our unborn brothers and sisters. Scripture again directs us on this point: "Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins." (Isaiah 58: 1). Those who know how wrong abortion is but keep silent are warned, "For the very reason that they led my people astray, saying, 'Peace!' when there was no peace, and that, as one built a wall, they would cover it with whitewash, say then to the whitewashers: I will bring down a flooding rain; hailstones shall fall, and a stormwind shall break out. And when the wall has fallen, will you not be asked: Where is the whitewash you spread on?" (Ezekiel 13:10-13).

If we are silent about the killing that we know is taking place through abortion, God has this to say to us: "You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me. If I tell the wicked man that he shall surely die, and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked man from his way, he (the wicked man) shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn the wicked man, trying to turn him from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself." (Ezekiel 33: 7-9).

God is a God of life. To destroy innocent human life is an unspeakable evil. Yet today we find people caring it a "right". Isaiah says, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter'' (Isaiah 5: 20).

Abortion is not a choice which involves only the woman who makes it. It has consequences for the child in her womb--life or death consequences. We must help and defend both the child and the mother. "Nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor's life is at stake" (Leviticus 19: 16). Over four thousand tiny lives are at stake this very day because of abortion! Are we really Bible-believing Christians if we remain silent any longer?