Amelia Bonow, co-founder of #ShoutYourAbortion, wanted to give women a voice to unashamedly tell their abortion stories.
The purpose is to awaken sympathy for those who went through the procedure and to remove the stigma associated with abortion. In light of the transgressions that have been revealed publicly regarding Planned Parenthood through a series of undercover videos, Amelia felt it was necessary to combat that with a movement of her own.
Should we as Christians have sympathy for those who made what many feel is the unconscionable decision to eliminate their child? Absolutely. Of course.
"Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had stood up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, 'Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more'" (John 8:9-11).
Her sins of adultery were forgiven. Jesus had compassion on this women when so many others were ready to administer the horrifying punishment of stoning her to death.
We absolutely should respond the same way toward women who have ended their pregnancy prematurely.
But as with Jesus, the response cannot end there.
"Go and sin no more" (John 8:9-11).
Our response to people who are grieved regarding their sin and repentant as the conviction of God hits them is to be driven with love and compassion.
Our response to those who are trumpeting their sin is an entirely different matter. Do we still love them? Definitely. Can we feel the pain that resulted in their decision? Yes. Can we stand by idly and affirm their action? No way. Such an immoral influence can do much to eternally damage unsuspecting, vulnerable people who find themselves in the same position. Something must be said with urgency and firm resolve.
What About Charlie Sheen and Miley Cyrus?
I can't imagine the lows that Charlie has experienced since the positive HIV test came back. Even though he put himself in harm's way quite unapologetically, and others were put at great risk, there is an appropriate measure of compassion that we must have for him and his situation. It's heartbreaking. He needs to experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus.
The truth remains, however, that he is unapologetic about his lifestyle of non-stop immorality. People like Charlie, Miley Cyrus, Amelia Bonow and others in our increasingly godless culture are not merely expressing themselves; they are arrogantly promoting the darkest depravity most of us have seen in our lifetimes. Just as Amelia is attempting to remove the stigma from abortion and murder, others are attempting to remove the stigma from pornography, adultery, fornication, drug use, homosexuality and other eternally deadly practices.
In a widely reported yet unconfirmed report, Miley Cyrus appears to be planning an entirely nude concert—including the audience—yet so few have responded in outrage.
How can the reaction to the news of a nude concert simply be, "That's just Miley being Miley?"
Just when did brutal murder become something to shout and celebrate?
When did it become acceptable to brag about sleeping with thousands of women—when God has set the standard at one, exclusively within the bounds of marriage?
Charlie, Miley and Amelia Were Bought With a Price
"Escape from sexual immorality. Every sin that a man commits is outside the body. But he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God, and that you are not your own? You were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:18-20).
We must do a couple of things. First, believe in the power of prayer and pray with passion for Charlie Sheen, Miley Cyrus and Amelia Bonow to discover the immeasurable love and power of Jesus. Heaven won't be the same without them. They were bought with a great price and are all precious to God. Second, we as the church must stand with boldness against the spirit of the age, the god of this world. If we don't, hell will continue to expand and God-cherished people such as Charlie Sheen, Miley Cyrus and Amelia Bonow will be lost forever.
"The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them" (2 Cor. 4:4).
The messages that are being sent by these three and so many others in our pornographic, narcissistic world are resulting in innumerable people being eternally separated from God, who so passionately loves them. Hell is growing larger as the church remains silent.
"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the abominable, the murderers, the sexually immoral, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars shall have their portion in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. This is the second death" (Rev. 21:8)."He who believes in Him is not condemned. But he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the verdict, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:18-19).
Satan is assaulting people in these end times with ferocity. His plan is to shred and destroy every human on earth—and the blood-bought church is the only hope.
Don't be surprised that we have a president who seems to reject most of everything that Christians value. Don't be shocked when evil is growing at a tragic rate. The church has been prayerless and asleep for the last few decades.
I'm sorry, Charlie. I'm sorry, Miley. I'm sorry, Amelia. We as Christians should have been a thousand times more fervent in our prayer, more empowered by the Holy Spirit and more devoted to our mission. We have failed.
What Comes Next?
#shoutyouradultry
#shoutyourperversion
#shoutyourmurder
#shoutyourhatred
#shoutyour_______
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who exchange darkness for light, and light for darkness; who exchange bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Is. 5:20).
The days of murdering children outside of the womb for the sake of convenience is nearing our nation.
There is no difference between murdering a toddler who is negatively affecting our lives and a baby in the womb who is threatening our lifestyle. Zero.
This is why it makes no sense for a Christian to vote for a pro-abortion politician. It's insanity. If we can overlook the murder of an unborn baby, we also must agree that the murder of children who have already been born are fair targets as well.
Sex outside of marriage is already acceptable, even in much of the church. Do we even understand that sin will result in an eternity in hell? It is that serious!
Pornography will increase, and adultery on demand—as is the case with those who subscribe to Ashley Madison—will only grow more acceptable.
Darkness is clearly increasing, and the hour of the church is here.
#ShoutYourFaith
Will you boldly #shoutyourfaith in the face of such arrogant, obscene evil in the land? Eternity for millions hinges on whether we do or not.
We are living in lawless times. Love is growing cold. The end is drawing near. People are rejecting God with passion. Satan is winning many battles.
It's time to shout, church. Shout truth. Shout love. Shout with passion. It's time to confront our culture and finally take a stand.
"Because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matt. 24:12-14).
John Burton has been developing and leading ministries for over 20 years and is a sought-after teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He has authored nine books, has appeared on Christian television and radio and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. Additionally, he planted two churches, has initiated two city prayer movements and is currently directing a prayer- and revival-focused ministry school in Detroit called theLab University. John also has a web- and graphic-design business and is continually developing new and exciting ventures. He and his beautiful wife, Amy, have five children and live in the Detroit area. He can be reached via his website atjohnburton.net.
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