By Bud Reeves, President of Sanctity of Human Life Network (SOHLnet)

In Ezekiel’s day child sacrifice had become something even God’s people were engaging in, a practice they had learned from their pagan neighbors. Their abhorrent practice is described in Psalm 106. "³⁷They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. ³⁸They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood. ³⁹They defiled themselves by what they did…"

In Ezekiel’s day great walls were built around the city to prevent the enemy from coming in and to keep the people safe and secure. Often however, because of the assaults of the enemy, the walls were broken, leaving gaps or breaches where the enemy could penetrate. These gaps were places of vulnerability, which required brave men to occupy on behalf of the safety of the people. In the above plea, God is seeking for a man who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Him.

God’s people then, like now, too often do not want a wall of truth. Listen to these words from Isa 30:

I along with many Christian leaders today see the evil of abortion, or the shedding of innocent blood, as the most significant moral issue of our day. I believe this shedding of innocent blood has caused great breaches in the walls of our churches, our families, our culture and our governments.

(1) We are to be wall builders. I believe God was and is looking for Christians, men and women who know and live God’s truth, to build walls of truth and warning. Easton’s Bible Dictionary comments: "The false prophets did not stand in the gap (Ezek. 22:30), i.e., they did nothing to stop the outbreak of wickedness." The true prophet warns. Today in America we have been soaked with "prophets" of prosperity and good times. Although they may be truthful in many areas, it is what they do not say that makes them false. This condition has lulled most of the American church into complacency, leaving our walls with many gaps.

I believe the Lord also wants these walls of truth because they keep His people from rushing out through the gaps to engage in pagan sin. This is demonstrated by the Prophet Amos who spoke God’s warning to a rebellious and sin-laden people, telling them that they were going out through the breaks in the wall to Bethel and Gigal to "sin yet more." (Amos 4:3-4) Is it possible that significant numbers of our people in the American church are today running away through these gaps because men of God have too often failed to stand in them, telling the truth about sin and warning of the consequences. Perhaps this is best illustrated by the move toward Sunday services that will rarely mention sin, but rather offer series of useful or practical sermons that will appeal to the people but offer no truth that may offend.

(2) We are to stand in the gap. Secondly, God wants men and women to stand in the gap as intercessors. In this case it is not to prevent the enemy from rushing in or the people rushing out, but rather the practice of frequent and fervent prayer, intercession, pleas to God to not judge the people and the nations for their rebellion and gross sins. Our prayers must also be prayers that we as a people will humble ourselves repent of our sin, turn from our wicked ways, that God might heal our land (II Chron 7:14). Too often we have misdirected our prayers, asking God to change things out there, when it is we who must change before He will answer. For example: We may fervently pray that God will close down an abortion clinic, or stop this or that from happening. I believe however that many of these prayers are not answered as we hope, because God is looking for us, His Bride, to respond to His clear requirements in Scripture before He will carry out His will. We are quick to blame the devil, the ACLU, the politicians, the media, etc, but repeatedly fail to see our own sins of participation and silence. Clearly we must ask God to open our eyes, to see as He sees and to hear as He hears. Only then will we receive the clear direction of the Holy Spirit to stand, speak and act, as He would have us.

Today, more than half of the abortions in America are being performed on women who profess the faith of Christianity. I have met them at the abortion mills. They have rushed through the gaps of truth and silence in the walls of the church and our culture right into the arms of today’s Molechs, the Planned Parenthoods here in Sacramento, Roseville and across America. Most have never heard their pastor warn them about the sin of abortion or how this sin defiles the person, the community and the nation.

God again gives the answer to Ezekiel. We must tell the truth. We must warn. Sin must be clearly identified as sin. Murder must be called murder. We should not try to make our words nicer or kinder than those used by Jesus or in the Bible. We must speak the truth with love and humility, but always with truth. There is no other way to describe it. In our sermons, intercessory prayer meetings, at conferences, in church, or wherever, we must not avoid the topic of abortion because so many have been injured by it. Silence will only ensure this sin will be passed from generation to generation. Of course we must provide healing ministries for post-abortive women (and men). Warning, truth telling, and exposing injustice will never replace providing for the wounded. Mercy must be coupled with exposing injustice (Mic 6:8). To treat the wounded is merciful. To not cry out for justice for the unborn is a sin of omission and the wounded will just keep coming in for treatment while the unjust practices keep on wounding.

Today in America, many Christians and their leaders reject and renounce clear and unambiguous teaching about abortion because there are too many "hurting women" in the congregation. Paul was not speaking about "abortion" but it is denial to say that abortion is the most profound legalized evil of our day. Paul was often rejected for telling the truth to the brethren.

Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Gal 4:16)

Paul taught this clearly about bringing the most evil sins into the open.

Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. ¹²It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. ¹³But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. (Eph 5:11-13).

"I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 9:1)

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When pastors, prophets, teachers, leaders, intercessors and counselors fail to speak the truth and warn, we are accountable. Listen.

⁷"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. ⁸When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. ⁹But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself." (Ezek 33:1-9)

(5) We must not avoid speaking this truth on Sundays in the sanctuary

Christians and the church must not avoid speaking about abortion because so many have participated and suffered as a result of it. Paul calls for exposing these evils in the light. Abortion is not an unforgivable sin. Pastors, humbly, with wisdom and sensitivity, must bring the truth out into the open. Post-abortive women (and men) who have found forgiveness and healing in Christ must be allowed to testify before the congregation. Unfortunately, those few who will angrily walk out of church will keep their pain. Those who remain have the opportunity to receive complete forgiveness in Christ, and hopefully, a church that provides a loving environment and ministry designed to bring total healing and restoration to the post-abortive wounded. God will be pleased and we will have repaired a major break in our walls.

(6) We must confront the evil of abortion where it takes place

Christians must continue to confront evil as it exists in the culture, whether it is slavery, child exploitation or child killing. Slavery was a terrible injustice in America and it prevailed in our society far too long because Christians not only held slaves, the silence of those who disagreed with it, insured that it would remain long past the time it should have ended. Today, child killing by abortion is taking place in buildings in our community, many having churches all around them. It is rare that an American pastor or church decides to take truth and mercy to these abortion mills. WHY? Are not the little boys and girls in the womb our neighbors? Are we not much like the Priest and the Levite who walked across the street to pass by the man who was bleeding after having been robbed and beaten on his way to Jericho? Why is it that today the religious leaders are still walking by? They will have no excuse. Listen.  ¹¹ Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. ¹² If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? (Pr 24:11)  

The church in American has no excuse. If we are to see revival and restoration the Christian Church must cry out in repentance and humility and then begin ministry at the abortion mills. Small numbers of pro-life Christians across America, whose presence at the abortion mills have saved thousands, will welcome you with open arms. Are you qualified? If you have these qualities, you are. Love God with all of your heart, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself.

God has given us everything we need for life and Godliness, we just need to be obedient.

(March 2004 - Permission is given to reprint this article with credit to author)