Now that the Supreme Court has issued its opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health and overturned Roe v. Wade, the issue of abortion is likely to get even more attention than ever, and the battle to save the lives of the pre-born must be joined by everyone.

The 1973 case Roe v. Wade held that a women has a “constitutional right” to abortion. As the Dobbs opinion ably points out, that “right” was a complete fabrication conjured up by the members of that Court, with no basis in any provision of the Constitution or American legal tradition. Accordingly, the Dobbs Court correctly held that, where the Constitution is silent, the issue must be decided by the American people through democratic processes.

In other words, the question of abortion now moves to the 50 state legislatures, the 50 governor’s mansions, the 50 state courts, and the people of the 50 states. Some states, like New York and California, may take another 49 years to see the light. But victory for the preborn will prevail almost immediately in many other states, and, in others, victory is just on the edge of the horizon. 

 

It’s a Whole New Battlefield, On a Whole New Landscape

Roe was the law of the land for over 49 years. The vast majority of people alive today who have been involved in the pro-life (as well as pro-abortion) movement has been engaged in a debate that, until now, has been completely overshadowed everywhere by the Roe decision. 

Under Roe, pro-life victories were always at the periphery: citizens trying to persuade a state to pass just one more incremental limitation, advocates working hard to shut down just one more abortion mill, pro-life supporters praying and persuading just one more young woman facing an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy to open her mind and her heart to precious life. 

On the other side, the abortion industry was able to rest comfortably on the Roe decision to keep their doors open, knowing that the fallback position was always the courts, no matter how many people opposed this culture of death. They were able to slash down restrictions, all on the pretext that these restrictions were impinging on a “fundamental constitutional right.” 

Ironically, and fittingly, it was precisely because the pro-abortion movement rested so heavily on the courts that Roe has now been overturned. The Dobbs case only came to the Supreme Court because Jackson Women’s Health, an abortion provider, chose to challenge Mississippi’s 15-week ban on abortion. Had this abortion provider been content to work within the 15-week limit, this case would never have brought about the end of Roe v. Wade.

Now, the entire framework on which the abortion industry was built has been dismantled. Praise be to God!

 

“As I Have Loved You, That You Also Love One Another”

And now we are faced with something critically important, something that needs immediate attention: the young women who will be facing unplanned, unwanted pregnancies, whose choices are now narrowed, and who desperately need us to be there. Now, more than ever, these young women will need compassion, understanding, support, and real, practical help. And they will need to know and feel the love of God for themselves and for their families.

Our pregnancy centers and medical clinics will need volunteers, donors, and staff, so that we can joyfully welcome these young women into a life of renewed hope and unconditional love. Now, more than ever, a greater love is needed, a greater love that will fully convince these young women that they truly deserve better, and that their babies deserve a chance.

 

New Life

We are so thankful to God for the Dobbs decision, thankful for the courage of the members of the United States Supreme Court in the face of pro-abortion activist threats. 

These desperate acts of people who have lost their way are themselves, however, a sign of victory. Now that the legalization of abortion is being returned to the people to decide through democratic processes, it is clearer than ever that Roe v. Wade was built on a foundation of sand; otherwise, abortion advocates would not fear the voices and votes of the American people.

 

Let us offer up a prayer of thanksgiving. And then, let’s get to work.

And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them.

. . .

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth Me.

. . .

Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”