Abortion and forgiveness are sensitive topics, but the Bible offers wisdom and grace on both. Today, we’ll look at how God’s Word addresses these issues and how we can find peace and compassion in Him.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Helping People In Need
What Does The Bible Say About Abortion And Forgiveness
Psalm 139:13-16
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
This verse emphasizes the sanctity of life and the belief that God forms and knows us even before we are born. It recognizes that every individual is fearfully and wonderfully made by God, with a purpose and a plan.
Abortion goes against this belief by terminating the life of an unborn child. However, this verse also highlights God’s divine knowledge and ability to forgive, offering hope and healing to those who have been involved in or affected by abortion.
Exodus 20:13
“You shall not murder.”
This commandment from God clearly states that taking another person’s life, including that of an unborn child, is wrong. Abortion is considered by many to be a form of murder because it intentionally ends the life of an innocent human being.
While God prohibits murder, He also offers forgiveness and redemption for those who have participated in or supported abortion. It is important to recognize our wrongdoing and seek repentance, knowing that through His grace, God can forgive even the most difficult of sins.
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
In this verse, God reveals to the prophet Jeremiah that He knew him and had a purpose for him even before he was born. This demonstrates that God has a unique plan for every individual, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their conception.
Abortion denies the fulfillment of God’s plan for a specific life and prevents that person from fulfilling their God-given purpose. However, through repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness, individuals can find healing and restoration, knowing that God’s plans are still available to them.
Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
In this passage, Jesus expands the understanding of murder beyond the physical act to include the intentions and attitudes of the heart. He emphasizes the importance of love, reconciliation, and treating others with respect.
While forgiveness is available for those who have been involved in or impacted by abortion, it is also crucial to examine our hearts and attitudes towards others. Holding anger or contempt towards those who have participated in abortion does not align with Christ’s teachings. Instead, we are called to show compassion, grace, and a willingness to extend forgiveness to all.
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”
In this verse, God assures His people that His love and care for them is even greater than that of a mother for her child. It reminds us that God’s love is unconditional, unwavering, and enduring.
While the decision to have an abortion may lead some individuals to believe that they are forgotten or unlovable, this verse proclaims the opposite. God’s love and forgiveness are available to all who seek it, regardless of past decisions or mistakes.
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
This verse reassures us that when we repent and seek forgiveness from God, He completely removes our sins from us. He separates us from our past mistakes and offers a fresh start.
For those affected by abortion, this verse brings hope and comfort. It reminds us that through Christ, we can be forgiven and freed from the guilt and shame of our past choices. God’s forgiveness is vast, encompassing, and enables us to move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and joy.
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
King David, in this psalm, pleads with God to cleanse him and renew his spirit after he committed grave sins. It reflects his desire for inner transformation and a restoration of his relationship with God.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing from the impact of abortion, this verse serves as a prayer for inner renewal. It expresses the longing for a pure heart, free from guilt and shame, and a steadfast spirit to walk in obedience to God’s will.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
In this verse, God invites His people to reason with Him and assures them of His readiness to forgive. He promises to cleanse them from their sins, making them pure and blameless once again.
For those who have been involved in or impacted by abortion, this verse offers incredible hope and reassurance. It symbolizes the transformative power of God’s forgiveness, promising to remove the stain of sin and make us whiter than snow.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
This verse encourages believers to confess their sins to God, knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive and purify them from all unrighteousness.
For those seeking forgiveness after participating in or being affected by abortion, this verse brings comfort and assurance. It assures us that when we acknowledge our actions and turn to God in repentance, He is ready to forgive us completely and cleanse us from the guilt of our past.
Romans 8:1
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
This verse declares that there is no condemnation for those who are in a right relationship with Jesus Christ. It highlights the freedom and forgiveness that believers have in Him.
For individuals struggling with guilt and shame related to their involvement in or impact of abortion, this verse offers great comfort. It assures them that through faith in Christ and His sacrifice on the cross, they can experience freedom from condemnation and be embraced by God’s love and grace.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
This verse speaks of the transformative power of being in a relationship with Christ. It declares that when someone becomes a believer, they are made new and the old sinful patterns of their life are replaced with newness and godliness.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, this verse offers immense hope. It reminds them that in Christ, they can leave behind the guilt and shame of their past actions and embrace the new life and identity that God offers to them.
Isaiah 43:25
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
God, in this verse, declares His ability and willingness to blot out and forget the sins and transgressions of His people. It reflects His mercy, grace, and desire to restore broken relationships.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, this verse is a powerful reminder of God’s willingness to forgive and forget. It assures us that, through His grace, our past mistakes will not define or hinder our future relationship with Him.
Romans 3:23-24
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
This passage acknowledges that every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. However, it also proclaims the good news that through the grace of God and the redemption brought by Jesus Christ, everyone can be justified and forgiven.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, this passage offers a powerful reminder of God’s inclusive love and forgiveness. It assures us that no sin is too great for His grace to cover, and through faith in Jesus, we can receive the gift of justification and reconciliation with God.
Psalm 32:5
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
In this verse, the psalmist reflects on the power of confession and transparency before God. By acknowledging and confessing their sins, they experience God’s forgiveness and the removal of guilt.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, this verse serves as an encouragement to bring their guilt and shame before God. Through sincere confession and repentance, they can receive His forgiveness and find freedom from the burdens of their past.
1 Timothy 1:15-16
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”
The Apostle Paul, in this passage, acknowledges his past as a persecutor of Christians and considers himself the worst of sinners. However, he highlights the abundant mercy and grace that God has shown him as an example of the transformative power of Christ’s love.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, this verse offers hope and encouragement. It reminds them that no sin is beyond the reach of God’s mercy, and their past does not define their future. Instead, it can become a testimony of God’s redemptive work and an example of His immense patience and love.
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
In these verses, Jesus teaches about the importance of forgiveness towards others. He emphasizes that our forgiveness from God is connected to our willingness to forgive those who have wronged us.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, these verses remind us of the significance of extending forgiveness to others. It challenges us to release any bitterness or anger and forgive those involved, ultimately opening the door to receive God’s forgiveness and healing in our own lives.
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
This verse highlights the unfailing love and compassion of God towards His people. It speaks of His faithfulness and how His mercies are renewed every day.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, this verse offers a comforting reminder of God’s never-ending love and compassion. It assures us that no matter how broken or undeserving we may feel, His faithfulness is unwavering, and His mercies are fresh every morning.
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
These words were spoken by the Apostle Peter as an invitation to repentance and turning back to God. He assures that through repentance, sins can be wiped away, and a season of refreshment can be experienced through the Lord.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, this verse offers hope and a clear path to restoration. It reminds us that when we turn to God in sincere repentance, He wipes away our sins and brings a refreshing and renewing work in our lives.
Psalm 51:17
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
David, in this psalm of repentance, acknowledges that God desires a broken and contrite heart over external sacrifices. He recognizes that true repentance involves genuine sorrow and humility before God.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, this verse reminds us that God values true repentance and humility. It encourages sincere self-reflection and a genuine desire to change, knowing that God will not despise a heart that is truly broken and contrite.
Psalm 51:1-2
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance and a cry for God’s mercy. The psalmist acknowledges their need for God’s unfailing love, compassion, and forgiveness, asking Him to wash away their sins and make them clean.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, this psalm serves as a model for sincere confession and repentance. It reminds us to approach God with humility, trusting in His unfailing love and compassion to cleanse us from our sins.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
God, speaking to Solomon after the dedication of the temple, promises to forgive and heal His people’s land if they humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, this verse speaks to the power of repentance and prayer. It challenges us to humbly seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that He is faithful to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and bring healing to our lives and communities.
1 John 2:1-2
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
In these verses, the Apostle John assures believers that if they sin, they have an advocate in Jesus Christ. He is the atoning sacrifice who makes forgiveness and reconciliation with God possible not just for them but for all people.
For those seeking forgiveness and healing after participating in or being affected by abortion, these verses offer comfort and assurance. It reminds us that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross covers all sins and that there is hope for forgiveness and restoration through Him.