Here is a Comment which reveals the mentality of many who are decieved into thinking that poverty is an excuse for abortion:
(Please see my comment below)
Do You Have a Wedding Garment?
And Jesus answered and spoke unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, who made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them who are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and treated them shamefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was angry: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then said he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they who were bidden were not worthy. Go you therefore into the highways, and as many as you shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment: And he said unto him, Friend, how came you in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:1-14)
This passage of course refers to that great day, the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9) where we as the bride of Christ will be united with Him. It is said that “his wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Revelation 19:8) So what does it mean that this one man did not have on a wedding garment? He obviously was poor, since he had been pulled off of the streets, but the others were in the same state and they seemed to have on wedding garments. Where did they get them?
First we must see that we ourselves are these people off of the streets. We were found dressed in filthy rags, destitute and without hope, until God in His incredible mercy saved us and brought us out of the miry clay, setting our feet upon the rock. There was nothing in us that would cause God to have pity on us or that would make Him want to save us, in our flesh is no good thing. And yet, unto the bride it was “granted” to dress in… the “righteousness of saints.” In Scripture we learn that we in ourselves cannot be righteous, “there is none righteous no not one” (Romans 3:10-12). God is the only Righteous one. In Ephesians 6:14, we are told to put on the Breastplate of Righteousness. Where does this righteousness come from? We find the answer in Jeremiah 33:16 “…and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.” !
“He saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment; by which is meant, not good works, or a holy life and conversation, nor any particular grace of the Spirit, as faith, or charity, or humility, or repentance, or any other, nor the whole work of sanctification, nor the Holy Ghost, but the righteousness of Christ: for though good works are the outward conversation garments of believers, and these greatly become them and adorn the doctrine of Christ, yet they are imperfect, and have their spots, and need washing in the blood of Christ, and cannot in themselves recommend them to God; and though the Holy Spirit and his graces, his work of holiness upon the heart, make the saints all glorious within, yet not these, but the garment of Christ’s righteousness, is their clothing of wrought gold, and raiment of needlework, in which they are brought into the king’s presence: this, like a garment, is without them, and put upon them; and which covers and protects them, and beautifies and adorns them; and which may be called a wedding garment, because it is that, in which the elect of God were betrothed to Christ; in which they are made ready and prepared for him, as a bride adorned for her husband: and in which they will be introduced into his presence, and be by him presented, first to himself, and then to his Father, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. This man had not on this garment, this robe of righteousness; it was not imputed to him; he had no knowledge of it; or if he had any, it was only a speculative one; he had no true faith in it; he had never put on Christ, as the Lord his righteousness; he had got into a church state without it, though there is no entrance into the kingdom of heaven but by it.” -Gill
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus. (Romans 3:20-26)
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Philippians 3:9)
We are to be clothed in the righteousness which is by faith in Jesus Christ. “For if Abraham were justified by works, he has something in which to boast; but not before God. For what says the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:2-3) Jesus took our filthy garment of sin on Himself and gave us His glorious garment of righteousness. We can now come into the most holy place because the sacrifice has been made and we no longer are clothed in sin, but in righteousness. (Hebrews 10:19-22)
So, why did the man in the parable have no wedding garment? He had not been given one! He did not have the righteousness of Jesus covering him, and he was bound hand and foot and cast into hell. This is a great warning to us! This man fully expected to be a partaker in the wedding feast, he was like those in Matthew 7:22 who cried Lord Lord, have we not done all these wonderful things in your name? They were saying “we know you Jesus, we love you”! But what did He answer? “I never knew you: depart from me you who practice lawlessness (or, unrighteousness).”
What about you? Do you profess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, but continue to live as though He is not? Jesus gave a very strong warning: “Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
Many will probably say, “but we are not saved by our works, only by faith in Jesus Christ!” This is very true. “For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; Whom he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I desire that you affirm constantly, that they who have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (Titus 3:3-8)
If God has saved you, then you will be bearing fruit, you will be keeping His commandments. When you sin you will hate it and repent, turning away from it to God. Please, examine yourself. If there is little or no fruit in your life, fear! Fear God, and cry out to Him for mercy! Do not go on living without fruit and expect to go to Heaven. Jesus said, “Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19)
Many do not understand how they can bear the good fruit of righteousness, they try and try to obey but more often than not, when temptations come they fall right into them. Are you like this? Do you find it hard to believe that those who are saved will bear good fruit?
The answer again is in the Bible: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) When God saves us, He creates within us a new person, we are not the same! If you are the same, then again, I say: fear! Fear God and cry out to Him for mercy!
Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are counterfeits? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Madeline Says:
Unfortunately the abortion debate will always be more complicated than you want it to be. You claim to be protecting innocent life, but seem to have no answers when a pregnancy puts a womans life in danger. In Brazil, thousands of teenage girls, without any sex education, often times victims of rape or incest are given the choice of either a life of extreme poverty and exclusion or an illegal procedure that may kill them. Who fights for these women? No one likes abortions, but many realize that the harm that would be caused by their prohibition is more multifacited and widespread than you could ever imagine.
For example, who will provide education and healthcare for the millions of baby’s born into poverty? Will you Sarah? Or do you feel that simply bringing them into a world of drugs and abuse is good enough to get you into heaven? Even if the result is these children having more children who will be forced to live in poverty and oppression. It’s easy to see this issue as one sided, black and white, right and wrong, it’s a lot harder to look deep inside yourself and your religion and make the decision that does the greatest good. So I will pray for you Sarah. I will ask God to forgive you for your selfish and shameful naivety. How does it feel to be preached to about higher powers Sarah? Does my self riteousness bother you or is my faith allowed to be as correct as yours?
Posted on June 18th, 2009 at 12:41 pm | Edit
Sarah Says:
Dear Madeline,
Your words make me very sad for you. Sad, because from what you have said, you do not fear God, nor believe there is a God in heaven that is Sovereign. You do not believe that an unborn child is a human person and is as important as you are. You do not believe that those in poverty have value, nor do you think that a child in poverty has any hope, but is a wasted life. Let me ask you, Madeline, who are you to judge this? Why do you believe that you or a certain type of people who fit into a category of your ideals are worthy to live, yet not those who don’t? The poor will always be with us, poverty is a consequence of man’s greed, selfishness, sin, hate of God, and lust for power, as the rich oppress the poor. Taking the life of her unborn child will only further oppress a precious mother in poverty. God has given us a conscience which produces guilt when we do something wrong,(especially murder) this women will be oppressed with guilt and agony, producing hatred and anguish in her life, which will cause greater conflict, and using your own words, yet from a godly prospective, the deep consequences are more… “multifaceted and widespread than you could ever imagine”. Why don’t you truly care about these women? This truly is another good reason to plead for the lives of unborn children.
Do you not understand that a women who is in poverty, perhaps abused, used and pregnant, still has great value in the eyes of God, and her child is just as important as you or I or ANYONE in the human race? God is merciful and helps people who come to Him, which means that all who come to Him are the most advantaged people on the face of this earth no matter what value others may place on them. Often it is because of poverty that people will lift their eyes upward to a merciful God who will help them. You do not understand the deep riches, love and mercy of God. Your values are placed only on things that are material… you are in spiritual poverty, as are all those that have the view point you expressed.
There are many who have spoken on this subject that can speak much more eloquently than I. . .
“Perhaps they will reflect upon the experience of the renowned black actress and gospel singer, Ethel Waters. Conceived as a result of a knifepoint rape when her mother was only 12 years old, she lived among prostitutes, junkies and alcoholics, and stole food to live. She grew up ‘tough’ but with a love for life, and helped many blacks receive a chance on Broadway, radio, television and in motion pictures. She supported her mother all her life, and reared over twenty girls. In her autobiography, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, Waters described herself as her mother’s “unwanted one, conceived in terror and violence, and against her will.” She continued, “There are not regrets, not even sighs. Only joy and thanksgiving to the Lord for this life He gave me. For I was born naked and hungry, and He fed me and clothed me and made me strong enough to make my way on my own. And there is no greater gift of destiny.”…
“THE RACISM AND ANTI-LIBERALISM OF ABORTION”
by Dennis L. Cuddy PHD.
Please take a look at this article as well, by Marsha West called:
A NEW RELIGION MASQUERADING AS CHRISTIANITY
Madeline, you seem to think I am trying to do works that, “is good enough to get you into heaven.”. You have missed that the Bible teaches good works do not get a person into heaven!Jesus Christ the Lord told a parable of a rich ruler that had a wedding and celebration for his son. A man came to the wedding in clothes that were not fit for a wedding..”And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment: And he said unto him, Friend, how came you in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:11-14) This parable is to help us realize that no good works, righteous acts, good thoughts, will make us worthy of heaven. There are many who believe Heaven is their destiny because of the “good things they have done”. How amazed and speechless they will be only to find out that they cannot enter into heaven because “they are not dressed right”, they are wearing their own self-righteous garments. It is only those that are clothed and dressed in the righteousness of Jesus that will be welcomed to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
I pray your heart might understand the teachings of God’s Word, the Bible, as He intends. Please take time to read this, If You Died Today Would You Go To Heaven?
Sarah