Sin | Abortion
Because abortion is common today, it is almost sure that many practicing Roman Catholics have participated in this. Though Scripture has not called out this particular sin by name, the Catechism of the Catholic Church has specifically identified this particular sin as most grievous.
Since the onset of legalized abortion, many Roman Catholic and Bible-believing Christian groups have stood arm and arm in opposition to this practice. Catholics and Protestants agree that it is morally wrong and they both recognize the gravity of this sin. There is, however, a major difference between how the Catechism deals with this particular sin and how the Bible deals with it.
If you have participated in the process of abortion and have felt the condemnation of the Roman Catholic Church, I plead with you to come to the Scriptures and drink from the fountain of truth that you may find peace and refreshment for your weary and remorseful soul.
The Catechism Says:
#2272 “Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. “A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication….”
#2322 “From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a “criminal” practice (GS 27 # 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.”
The Bible Says:
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The Catechism Says:
#1463 “Certain particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe ecclesiastical penalty, which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain ecclesiastical acts, and for which absolution consequently cannot be granted.…”
The Bible Says:
II Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:..
The Catechism Says:
#1129 “The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation….”
The Bible Says:
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
As we have seen in Scripture, God is merciful and full of compassion, even to those who have committed the vilest of sins. I trust that you have seen the great chasm that is separating the Catechism and the Bible on this topic. On one hand, we are told that abortion is a mortal sin, which needs to be confessed to a priest. This confession needs to be made in order for the Catholic individual to participate in the eternal life-giving sacrament of the Eucharist. Then on the other hand, the Catechism places the decree of excommunication on those who have participated in the act of abortion and they are forbidden from receiving this life-giving sacrament.
My friend, all sin separates us from the eternal life-giving God. God has not separated out the sin of abortion and withheld His redeeming grace from those who have fallen in this way. The Bible records the murderous lives of Saint Paul (Acts 26:10), Moses (Acts 7:28) and even the man after God’s own heart, King David (II Samuel 11). Each one had given full consent to the taking of innocent lives. It is for this very reason that all these men needed to be reconciled to God by the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Only God offers eternal life. Do not be deceived by the craftiness of men. As God gives you repentance, turn to Him and trust that He has paid for all your sins, past, present and future. This is the grace of God, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me [Jesus]” (Acts 26:18). Believing God’s Word will liberate you from the guilt of sin and, “…If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).