Legislating Against the Unborn and the Hidden Power of Forgiveness

by Sue Nesbit

Recently radical new abortion laws were made in my nation. My heart was broken before the Lord. He cautioned me not to judge the lawmakers with a critical heart. God is a righteous judge and as Christians we are called to assess whether something is righteous or not (John 5:30). We are also warned not to judge with a critical heart (Luke 6:37).

As I continued to seek the Lord He spoke to me from Luke 23:34 (emphasis added): “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ And they divided His garments and cast lots.” Jesus was dying, in excruciating pain, and gasping for every breath. His attitude toward those who crucified Him was astonishing. As I read this verse the words “they” and “them” stood out. They who divided His garments. They who participated in His crucifixion. They whose minds had been blinded by the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4). Even in the midst of gross injustice and a horrific crucifixion, Jesus’ profound love and mercy overflowed toward them. He forgave those who crucified Him and excused their ignorance.

Today He forgives the they and the them that come to Him and bow the knee…
Those who have despised and mocked righteousness…
Those who have operated against Him defiantly and blindly…
Those who have committed the deepest injustices against humanity…
They!…
Them!…

Stephen operated in the same spirit as they were stoning him: “And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60 emphasis added). When Stephen asked God not to charge them with this sin it released his murderers into God’s hands. It gave God something to work with. God used that which had been entrusted to Him in a powerful and dynamic way. Saul watched approvingly as Stephen was stoned to death. After this Saul continued to persecute believers. While he was still breathing threats and murders against them, God encountered him (Acts 9:1-18)!

God had no problem taking hold of a zealous murderer, changing his name to Paul, and turning him into a zealous apostle for His kingdom. Paul went on to write over half of the New Testament and impact many generations. God used injustice and turned it for good (Roman 8:28). Even in the midst of great injustice, He is trustworthy. His love is beyond our ability to comprehend.

Forgiving and releasing is divine, powerful, freeing and fruitful. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful weapons in the war between good and evil, light and darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness. His forgiveness extends to lawmakers, law breakers, and all who have aborted the unborn. Every child that is aborted is received into His loving arms.

We are exhorted to pray for all people, including kings and those in authority: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority…” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Our prayers invite God to change the hearts of those who have authority and influence: “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).

There is a zealous war cry over New Zealand as a nation. It is time to take back our land for righteousness. It is right for us to defend the unborn. Definitely we must intercede before God’s throne and speak as He leads us. Above all, our actions and our words must be governed by His wisdom and His heart. We must not neglect the hidden power of forgiveness in this battle There is a fine line between righteous truth and accusation. Pray that God raises up leaders in the government, in the church, and in society, who will stand for righteousness and justice, and impact New Zealand for generations to come.

© 2020 Sue Nesbit.

Related Articles:
The Tears of the Māori Women – Nathan Shaw

Back to Articles