A Powerful Weapon, but you Need to Use It

“…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17)

   A billboard posted near South Austin, Texas, advertised abortion services in California. The ad included a link to California’s abortion resources website and even a Bible quote: ”Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.” (Mark 12:31) (Ruiz, Amanda and FOX 7 Austin Digital Team, “California Gov. Newsom’s campaign puts up pro-abortion billboard in Austin” updated 10.10.22)

   Here is the complete passage with the context: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) The part about loving God was left out.

   As for abortion, the Bible says life begins at conception. When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would be mother to Jesus, he said, “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age:” (Luke 1:36) Notice he said, “…she hath also conceived a son…” Those words are important. They tell us the baby’s status as a human and even his gender as a male were both established at conception.

   The American College of Pediatricians also says that life begins at conception. “The predominance of human biological research confirms that human life begins at conception—fertilization. At fertilization, the human being emerges as a whole, genetically distinct, individuated zygotic living human organism, a member of the species Homo sapiens, needing only the proper environment in order to grow and develop.” (American College of Pediatricians, March 2017, “When Human Life Begins,”)

   Abortion has been legal since 1973. No doubt many are used to it as an option to end a pregnancy. Yet it is still the end of a human life. By using Scripture to try to justify it, the billboard’s creators also pointed out the Bible’s power to touch hearts, whether they meant to or not: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

   The Bible speaks against abortion. Yet it also has powerful words of grace and forgiveness. God is not just concerned about saving babies, but most importantly about saving sinners. All are guilty of sin. We have not all sinned in the same way, but we have all sinned, and no doubt many times. Yet Romans 5:20 says, “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” As one sacred song calls it, “Grace that is greater than all our sin.” (“Grace Greater than Our Sin,” Julia H. Johnston, Daniel B. Towner)

   God’s word is called “the sword of the Spirit,” (Ephesians 6:17) God uses it to deal with people; about Himself, about sin, and most importantly to show people their need for Jesus as Saviour. Yet it must be used. A powerful weapon in a box does no good. A life-saving medicine sitting on a shelf does no good. God tells believers to share God’s word, to be “…speaking the truth in love,” (Ephesians 4:15) to share God’s word and His love with people who don’t know Scripture and who don’t know Jesus as Saviour.

   If you wonder whether Jesus wants to forgive and save you, rest assured that He does. As He hung on the cross in agony with mockers looking on, He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) He was willing to forgive them. He is willing to forgive and save you. Please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?” to learn how to have your sins forgiven and eternal life by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.

Brian Miller 7/3/2026

Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822