Do you remember the old Sunday School song, “Ten Were Bad and Two Were Good”?  Some may remember it as “Twelve Men Went to Spy on Canaan.” 

It is the story about the Promised Land of Canaan. According to Numbers 13 and 14, God told Moses to send twelves spies in the area, to:

see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds; whether the land is rich or poor; and whether there are forests there or not. Be of good courage. And bring some of the fruit of the land. (Numbers 13:17-20)

When the spies returned, ten delivered a fear-filled report. They emphasized the size of the inhabitants, the fortified cities, and declared that Israel appeared like “grasshoppers” by comparison. Their words spread panic, unbelief, and rebellion throughout the camp.

But two men—Joshua and Caleb—spoke in faith. They reminded the people that if the Lord was with them, victory was assured. They urged Israel to move forward and take possession of the land at once. The people rejected their counsel, grumbled against Moses, and even talked of returning to slavery in Egypt.

That story—and that old Sunday School song—came to mind when I learned that a bill to ban abortion in Illinois is being introduced in Springfield this year.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Despite pro-lifers being a super-minority in the General Assembly, despite the political “giants” who dominate Illinois government, State Senator Neil Anderson (R–Aledo) is moving forward with bold legislation demanding equal protection for pre-born children.

This landmark bill declares that pre-born children are “persons” under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution—thereby recognizing their right to life as worthy of legal protection. The Fourteenth Amendment plainly states:

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

Senator Anderson’s bill (SB XXXX) applies this constitutional promise to the unborn, affirming that they too are persons deserving equal protection under the law.

Pro-life advocates recognize what Scripture has always taught: every human life is a sacred gift from God and worthy of protection from the moment of conception. Illinois law, however, rejects this truth. In fact, abortion activists are actively working to enshrine abortion as a constitutional “right” in our state—placing the killing of the unborn beyond the reach of democratic debate or legal restraint.

Pastor Calvin Lindstrom of Church of Christian Liberty in Arlington Heights states it plainly:

It is shameful that Illinois now leads the nation in the killing of the unborn. The Bible speaks of the humanity of the child in the womb. Science testifies to this same truth. It should only follow that each state should protect innocent life from the womb to the tomb. The intentional killing of the unborn should and must be outlawed. All voters should support and encourage their elected officials to support and pass this legislation. It is a biblical and moral duty. (Proverbs 24:11-12)

Illinois Family Institute affirms the unchanging authority of God’s Word. Scripture clearly teaches that every human life is created by Almighty God, in His image, and with inherent dignity and value (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13–16). Human worth is not conferred by government, nor is it dependent on size, age, location, or ability. It is inherent and comes from being created by God.

Both Scripture and science affirm this truth. A comprehensive survey of biologists found that 96% of 5,577 biologists agree that human life begins at conception. From the moment of fertilization, a distinct, living human being exists. Therefore, pre-born children are human persons and are entitled to the most basic human rights—most fundamentally, the right to life.

Medical advances in recent decades have only strengthened the case for life beginning at conception. Science confirms that a unique human life begins at fertilization, with distinct DNA, a heartbeat that can be detected as early as five weeks, and measurable brain activity by eight weeks.

The science is settled.

Yes, there are giants in the Land of Lincoln—giants bound and determined to continue the bloodshed. Yes, some will complain that passing a bill to ban abortions in Illinois is not possible. Yes, some will complain that now is not the right time fight this battle. But like Joshua and Caleb, we cannot succumb to the fear of man. The question before Illinois Christians is simple: Will we side with fear—or with faith?

Illinois State Senator Neil Anderson is leading the charge. This is an opportunity for faithful Christians to speak with clarity and compassion, proclaiming the truth that every human life—born and preborn—is created by Almighty God in His image and for His purposes.

Look at the chart below and consider this sobering reality: nearly one million babies have been aborted in Illinois over the past 20 years. At our current pace, we may surpass that tragic milestone this year.

Can we afford to stand by and do nothing?

(These numbers are likely underreported.)

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send you state senator an email asking him/her to co-sponsor this bill to protect the human rights of pre-born babies. Remind him/her that it is God who grants us the right to life and it is the U.S. Constitution that is protect that right.

More ACTION:

• Pray that God would bless this effort to stop abortion in Illinois
• Pray that hearts and minds would be changed on the humanity of babies in the womb
• Spread the word at your church and withing your spheres of influence!
• Meet with your local state senator and state represenative

Pastor Brandon Myers of Christ the King Church in Niles profides us with a powerful exhortation:

The most vulnerable and victimized group of people in our nation—and in our state—are by far (to anyone who is honest) precious preborn girls and boys. In a just state with just laws, these neighbors would be protected and afforded the right to life. Yet tragically, in about the last year, roughly 90,000 preborn neighbors—disproportionately those who are ethnic minorities—who bear God’s image and were made for God’s glory have been murdered in our state, in the very place where they ought to have been the safest: their mothers’ wombs.

Wicked and unworthy politicians publicly boast about this, deceptively calling it “health care” and a matter of “rights.” But what about the health and the rights of the little girl and little boy who were murdered? They are forgotten and voiceless—abandoned and discarded. Their killers are celebrated, while those responsible roam freely, protected by the rule of law.

This is a monstrous evil and a truly horrific stain on both our nation and our state. The one true and living Lord has clearly declared that He hates hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16–19). Therefore, if you claim to follow and belong to the Lord Jesus Christ as part of His Church, you must support equal protection under the law (Micah 6:8) and reject unequal weights and measures, which God finds abominable (Proverbs 20:10).

And if you claim to care about justice, truth, righteousness, love for one’s neighbor, or concern for the disadvantaged, the weak, and the needy, you must support this. It is well past time to support legislation that provides equal protection for our suffering preborn neighbors—both in our state and across our nation.

Despite what anyone says, this is the right side of history because it is the right side of the righteous, eternal, and sovereign God of history. There is no civil-rights violation comparable to this ongoing injustice.

May the righteous rise up. May those who fear the Lord turn away from evil. And may this nation—and those who celebrate these sins and crimes—repent before the Lord. Only the God of the gospel can change hearts by His Spirit through His Word. But we must never use that truth as an excuse for indifference to the necessity of righteous laws or to the importance of electing God-fearing, humble legislators in our nation and our state.

Laws matter tremendously. Historically, they have shaped hearts and minds—for good—directing nations toward God’s objective standards and ultimately toward Christ Jesus. May God establish righteous justice under the law insofar as it is possible, for the protection of our preborn neighbors.

Be of good cheer!