The U.S. Supreme Court says abortion is legal. Why shouldn’t Christians get them if they need to? Does the Bible even talk about abortion?
Ashley
Dear Ashley,
As Christians, we are called on to live by the laws of man. But more importantly, we are called on to live by God’s law. He is our highest authority.
People who defend abortion say that a woman has the right to control her own body. But consider this. Each cell in your body has your unique genetic stamp. Whether a living cell is taken from your tongue or your toe, it contains the stamp of your identity. From the moment a sperm meets an egg, the cells which start multiplying carry their own genetic code, different from the mother’s. An unborn child is therefore not a part of the woman’s body. It is a separate individual with its own genetic code. If it were a part of the woman’s body, it would have the woman’s genetic code.
Old Testament laws said if someone caused a woman’s unborn child to die, compensation should be paid. The unborn child was seen as more than just an extension of the woman’s body (Exodus 21:22–23).
For Christians, the issue is even clearer. The Bible says God formed you in the womb and prepared you for your life before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5). You were carefully made by God from the moment of conception (Psalm 139:13–16). The unborn are individuals known by God. No one has the right to destroy them.
Jordan
Six kids from the same high school died in car wrecks in one year. They all thought, “I can drink and drive. Nothing will happen to me.” Most sexually active teens think, “I won’t get an STD.” Assyria had destroyed the Israelites. It was God’s judgment on them for their idolatry. But the idolaters in Judah thought, “Hey, that can’t happen to us,” and went right on sinning. It’s wise to learn from your own mistakes. But it’s better to learn from others’ mistakes. The next time you catch yourself thinking, “That can’t happen to me,” think again.
What does God do all day? Sit back and watch you? Make lists of the good and bad things you do? Or does he ignore you and think his own thoughts? Whatever God does, many people pretty much ignore him. They may not consciously think it, but their actions show that they assume, “He will do nothing. No harm will come to us.” It’s not safe to think of the Lord as a do-nothing God. God may be patient and delay punishment while he gives people a chance to repent. But people who persist in doing wrong aren’t safe at all. God really is the judge of his universe, and there are painful consequences for people who keep on doing wrong.
Only about 1 person out of 100 comes anywhere near being a genius. That means that 99 aren’t as smart. Comparing yourself to others can make you feel inferior. Even dumb. And that’s not a comfortable feeling at all. There are more important things than being smart. Or being strong or rich or athletic. Jeremiah says there is only one thing you should boast about: that you understand and know God (Jeremiah 9:24). Knowing God makes you special in a way that being smarter or stronger than others never could. Knowing God makes you a child of the King, and you’re important to him.
Over and over in the Bible believers get upset and say things like, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?” (Jeremiah 12:1). You probably know how they feel. It’s the guy who lies and gossips about girls who gets the date with the one you like. And how about the girl whose mom types and corrects (and rewrites) her book report? She gets an A while you get a C. Sometimes it’s easy to wonder, “Where is God, anyway?” But be sure to remember: Nobody gets away with doing wrong in the end. It’s just frustrating now. But try not to get discouraged in doing good. God does know. And in the end you’ll be the one who wins.
Even teens brought up in Christian homes will challenge their parents’ standards of right and wrong. And they’ll question the Bible too. That’s OK, because questioning is a first step toward developing personal convictions. The problems begin when you decide to accept the standards of society and ignore God’s standards. Jeremiah warns that “the heart is deceitful” (Jeremiah 17:9). People don’t decide against God’s ways because they’ve thought things through. People decide against God’s ways because they’re attracted to sin. Read this passage and begin to think for yourself and depend on God.
Ever dream about having a sports car? Or a designer wardrobe? Some people feel they have to have such things. They’ll do anything to get them.
One king in Jeremiah’s day felt that way. Jeremiah warned him that since his eyes and his heart were set only on dishonest gain (Jeremiah 22:13), he would soon die and have the “burial of a donkey” (Jeremiah 22:19). To that king possessions were more important than people. He didn’t care if he hurt others as long as he got what he wanted.
It’s important to remember that people are more important than possessions. If you set your heart on what is right and just, if you defend the cause of the poor and needy, then you’ll know God better, and all will go well with you (Jeremiah 22:15–16).
Do you know how many people have been killed because they spoke up for God? Acts 7 records the story of the first Christian martyr. Tradition says Peter and Paul were executed for spreading the Christian message. A book called Foxe’s Book of Martyrs tells about hundreds more. When Jeremiah delivered God’s message, he was threatened with death too. Witnessing has never been easy. At times believers have faced death and still shared God’s Word. Compared to that, maybe it’s worth taking a look at your reasons not to.
Q: Hananiah predicted the Jews would return from Babylon in two years (Jeremiah 28:3). Was he right?
BONUS: What did Jeremiah predict would happen to Hananiah?
No one really notices or cares about me. Nobody loves me or listens to a thing I say. I don’t seem to do anything right. Lots of times I wish I was dead and wonder if I can make that come true. I don’t want to hurt anyone, but I’m tired of feeling this way. What can I do?
Morgan
Dear Morgan,
You are not alone. Many young people have feelings of great sadness and feelings of worthlessness. But feelings can and do change. Please tell your parents, your doctor, a teacher or guidance counselor. Find an adult you can trust, and tell them you need help. You said you don’t want to hurt anyone else, but how do you think your parents, brothers, sisters and friends would feel if you weren’t there anymore? They would be devastated. You are thinking of a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
God has good plans for you, plans that include hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11–13). Seek God. Give your family the chance to get you some help from your doctor or a counselor. There is help for people who are depressed. God can bless you in more ways than you can even imagine. Give him a chance. And give those around you a chance to help you. Give yourself the chance to live your life.
Jordan
Jeremiah kept warning God’s people. They had sinned, and unless they changed their ways the little nation of Judah would be destroyed. No one listened and, sure enough, the Babylonian war machine trampled Jerusalem, destroyed the temple and carried the people off as captives.
But Jeremiah, the bad news prophet, also delivered some good news. One day God would make a new covenant with his people. And in that covenant God would guarantee to change people’s hearts (Jeremiah 31:33), and forgive their wickedness and sins (Jeremiah 31:34).
When Jesus died on the cross God kept his promise of a new covenant. The book of Hebrews assures us that Jesus’ death was a sacrifice for sins offered “for all time,” and that by “one sacrifice” Jesus did everything necessary to provide the forgiveness we need and perfect us for heaven (Hebrews 10:12, 14). Because Jesus died for us, the sins of those who believe in him “have been forgiven” (Hebrews 10:18). Ephesians 1:7 says, in Jesus “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
What a wonderful thing forgiveness is. You know what it means to feel guilty and ashamed after you’ve done something you know you shouldn’t. Because of Jesus you can experience God’s forgiveness now. That guilt and shame can be taken away, and you can feel whole and good about yourself again. Claim the forgiveness God offers you in Jesus. Give yourself a fresh start. And next time, don’t choose to do what you know is wrong.
Read the end of the story first. The LORD tells the family, “You have obeyed the command of your forefather” (Jeremiah 35:18). As a result, God promised to bless them. When the Bible says honor your parents, it doesn’t just mean you should be polite. Part of honoring parents is respecting their beliefs and values and seriously considering making their beliefs and values your own. So don’t talk about your parents “forcing” you to go to church. Go, listen actively and seriously consider the claims of Christ. Mom and Dad can’t believe for you, but you can honor them by taking an honest, open look at their faith.
Q: What did King Jehoiakim do with Jeremiah’s scroll?
BONUS: How did God react to what King Jehoiakim did?
Q: What is the last thing Jeremiah did with his scroll?
BONUS: What was on this scroll?
Jeremiah
Change.
It’s never too late to change, but sometimes it’s too late to avoid punishment. That’s what happened to Judah and Jerusalem. They were given 40 years to repent, but they didn’t, so they were destroyed and the people were taken captive to Babylon.