LA # 0813
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<||> My Source: THE GOSPEL REMINDER, 11/28/2004
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<||> Author: Marvin Rickett
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<||> File Under: Abortion
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SHEDDING INNOCENT BLOOD
by Marvin Rickett
In Proverbs 6, the inspired wise man said that the Lord hates seven things. The third one is "hands that shed innocent blood" (verse 17). To say "hands" that shed innocent blood is a way of saying, "the one" who sheds innocent blood. To say the Lord hates something is to imply that His divine wrath will be brought to bear against it.
To what does "innocent blood" refer? It refers to anyone who does not deserve to die. It is not primarily referring to those who are innocent of sin. These would be few. The Scripture says that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" and that "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom 3:23, 10). All who have reached an accountable age have become guilty of sin. There would be no innocent blood among these, if it were speaking of sin.
It is referring to those who are not guilty of any capital crime, any crime worthy of being executed. For example, justice demands that murderers be put to death. The Lord ordained this penalty: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man" (Gen 9:6). The Lord provided for duly ordained civil authority to execute the death sentence. Paul said, "..for he [civil powers, MR] beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (Rom 13:4). It does not say the Lord hates the hands that shed guilty blood. In fact, justice is not done when a murderer is allowed to live.
Shedding innocent blood refers to murder, the taking of human life that had done nothing worthy of death. There is an entire class of human beings who are innocent; not only innocent of having committed any crime, but also innocent of having committed any sin. These are the unborn. They fit the definition of innocent better than any born persons, yet many of these innocents are being murdered by abortion every day. They have done nothing worthy of death, yet their innocent blood is bieng shed. The "hands" that are shedding this innocent blood are the hands of the physicians and nurses who perform the procedures, the mother and maybe the father who choose to abort their child, civil authorities who pass laws allowing abortion, courts who strike down laws restricting it, organizations which advocate and promote the choice of abortion.
These innocents need an advocate who will stand up and speak in defense of their right to life. Historically, the civil authority has stepped in to defend and champion the cause of the weak and helpless. In this case, however, the civil authorities have abdicated and chosen the side of those who shed innocent blood. It is not merely a religious issue, it is a life issue. Everyone has a stake in it. There is the need of rrepentance before the full wrath of the Lord is brought to bear.
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