\u201cAin\u2019t Skeered!\u201d is a Southern takeoff on the once popular \u201cNo Fear\u201d emblems paraded on sweatshirts and automobiles. Yet, when it comes to certain words, I am<\/strong><\/em> afraid. We live in an age when using the wrong word could mean the end of one\u2019s good reputation, career, or, at least, our God-pleasing relations with others. It\u2019s sort of like the ol\u2019 joke: \u201cWhat\u2019s the last words out of a redneck\u2019s mouth?\u201d \u2013 \u201cHey y\u2019all, watch-isss!\u201d Our words often precede our demise. For instance, using a certain \u201cA\u201d word might be lethal. So, instead, I\u2019ll stick with some humane \u201cA\u201d words while talking about the \u201cN\u201d word: Noitroba<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n When the Archangel Gabriel appeared to a young virgin in Nazareth, she was sore afraid. She was scared. Yet, even though he had some truly frightening news for her, she found comfort in these words \u201cDo not be afraid.\u201d Then he told her she was with child. Do not be afraid<\/strong><\/em>. Then he told her that the father of her child was none other than God. Do not be afraid<\/strong><\/em>. The son she was to bear would be king forever. Do not be afraid<\/strong><\/em>. And when she was bewildered as to how all of this \u2014 including the news that her aged and barren cousin Elizabeth was with child \u2014 could happen, the Archangel said these words \u201cFor with God nothing will be impossible.\u201d [Luke 1:37] But, the world continually speaks backwards to us \u201cBe afraid! Be very afraid!\u201d Wanting a quick fix for everything the worldly mantra rings out \u201cNo pain! No struggle! No accountability<\/strong><\/em>!\u201d <\/p>\n Fidelity to God is the first requirement of the people of God. If we are God\u2019s people, we are marked first and foremost by our allegiance<\/strong><\/em> to Him. It\u2019s not simple. If it were, God would not have had to command such allegiance: \u201cThou shalt have no other gods before me\u201d [Exodus 20:3]. Of the Ten Commandments, this is the first. Then, a few rules down, there is another commandment \u201cThou shalt not kill.\u201d We lose a bit in the translation from Hebrew to English. These words actually mean \u201cThou shalt do no murder on the innocent.\u201d Humanly speaking, there is nothing \u2014 nothing \u2014 more innocent than the babe in the womb. All life belongs to God and those whose individual actions lead to the destruction of innocent life place themselves before God. This transgresses the first commandment, not to mention the sixth! It\u2019s another version of the Serpent\u2019s words to Adam and Eve \u201cEat this fruit and ye shall be like gods.\u201d Heeding this backwards advice has continually led mankind into every sort of abomination<\/strong><\/em>. <\/p>\n Ever since the Fall of Adam and Eve, mankind has been held captive to the ways of the world and the lie of the Serpent. Yet God, in His mercy, sent the Law and the Prophets as an aid. In the fullness of time, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, (born of a woman), as the Saviour. If you are a Christian, you\u2019re probably saying \u201cWell, yeah. I know this and this I believe.\u201d Good. Then, I must ask you: Why do some Christians follow the backward ways of the world and utter such words as, \u201cI\u2019m Pro-Choice?\u201d There is no choice in Pro-Choice. There is only the murdering of innocent life. For the people of God, should never be an option. It is backwards thinking. It is an abomination<\/strong><\/em>. Christians must first look to the Lord and His ways in order to act according to His commandments. We must also take care in what we say.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t come by these things naturally. For example, loving and honouring one\u2019s parents is difficult. It does not come naturally. God had to command us to do it. \u201cHonour your father and your mother\u201d [Exodus 20:12a]. But, even though many people grow up with strained parental relationships, I\u2019ve never heard anyone say, \u201cI\u2019m Pro-Choice\u201d when it comes to whether one should struggle to love their Mom or not. Even though we may fall and utter words which we shouldn\u2019t, I\u2019ve never heard anyone say, \u201cI\u2019m Pro-Choice\u201d when it comes to taking the Lord\u2019s name in vain. And although adultery is as old as the hills, how many Christians ever say \u201cI\u2019m Pro-Choice\u201d when it comes to sleeping around? \u201cI\u2019m Pro-Choice\u201d when it comes to pornography?<\/p>\n Words mean things. We should choose them carefully. As stated earlier, we live in an age when using the wrong word could mean the end of our God-pleasing relations with others. In our Christian witness, we should struggle to never lead someone astray. The backwards thinking that noitroba<\/strong><\/em> is merely a political issue is wrong. It is a moral issue that, unfortunately, has been politicized. The backwards thinking that noitroba<\/strong><\/em> is a woman\u2019s right is wrong. It is a painful, life-scarring sin. Just ask most any woman, or man, who has borne the wrongs of this \u201cright.\u201d The backwards thinking that being \u201cPro-Choice\u201d is anything other than being Pro-Sin, murder of innocent life, is a fallacy. The backwards thinking that noitroba<\/strong><\/em> is ever a God-pleasing alternative is just plain demonic. <\/p>\n We must struggle to love one another and, when necessary, to reprove others in Christian love. We can begin by using the words allegiance<\/strong><\/em> and accountability<\/strong><\/em> the next time the abominable<\/strong><\/em> topic of the \u201cA\u201d word comes up. Aside from being backwards thinking, noitroba<\/strong><\/em> ain\u2019t even good spelling. We should be able to spell it like it is. But, I was afraid that if I did, some of you might not read this article. Just as I used to be afraid that if I publicized a Pro-Life event from the pulpit someone might be offended. <\/p>\n Regardless of my fear back then, our faithful prayed in front of the FemCare Clinic one rainy Saturday morning. I was particularly praying for the sidewalk counselor who was speaking into the small sound system words of help and assistance to those who were entering the killing place. She told them that we could help them to let their baby live. She did not condemn them. Rather, she was the only one there who was truly offering them a choice. Once inside the killing place, no choice would be offered. It\u2019s commerce. It\u2019s big business. Outside, the words of the Archangel could still be heard: Do not be afraid. For with God nothing will be impossible<\/em>. Thank God there was someone there to say it. <\/p>\n