Half A Million Still Die In Childbirth

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) more than 500,000 women die in pregnancy each year. A staggering 99 % of the deaths in 2005 occurred in developing countries. Statistics reveal that, of the 50 million yearly births in these countries, only 4 of every 10 were attended to by some kind of skilled health worker. UNICEF also calculated that current lifetime risk of maternal death in the developing world is about1 in 76 while the rate in the industrialized world runs only 1 in 8,000. The report showed that the primary cause of death involved hemorrhaging after giving birth.

Few things in life can compare to a loss of life in this fashion. Only those who have experienced such a mind-boggling scenario could ever relate the bittersweet feeling ofthe joy of a new life being so profoundly connected with the loss of another. It must be simply overwhelming for family members to adjust and to realize the awful price paid in order to leave a precious new life.

Birth and death are not normally associated for the most part since they are typically separated by an entire lifetime. But there is a sphere where they fit firmly together. Scripture reveals that God has a requirement in order for any man or woman to be forgiven of sin and allowed to spend eternity with Him. That requirement is described in the Bible as being ‘born again’. It refers to the spiritual renewal of the soul through God’s HolySpirit.

But interestingly, in order to be spiritually re-born, the Bible teaches that an individual must first die. They must to die to any attempt at saving themselves. They must also die to any belief that they are not sinners. There must be a death to the fact that they are not really ‘bad enough’ to warrant the judgment of their Creator. And they must die to the influence and domination of the old sinful nature.

The Apostle Paul speaks of this mystery in Galatians chapter 2 and also in Romans 6. In the Galatians passage he relates how salvation comes by way of a spiritual death. The description given actually uses the term crucifixion. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”(Galatians 2:19-20)

The new birth represents a new death!

Then in Romans 6, Paul expands on the same concept beginning in verse 6 of chapter 6. “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might bedone away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The new birth removes an old master.

In 1 Corinthians, we read about how physical death is man’s final enemy. (1Corinthians 15:25-26) But later in the chapter, and beginning with verse 54, we find how this death has been defeated. "Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The new birth repels the old enemy.

In Philippians chapter 3, the Apostle relates the personal value of his salvation and his great desire to have Christ’s death fully impact both his current life and the one that follows it. Verse 7 reads, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ” Then in verses 10-11 he records, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

The new birth replaces an old attitude.

In his letter, and greatest theological thesis to the fledgling church at Rome, Paul also shared the sense of lasting peace and safety that comes with knowing Christ as Savior. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

The new birth reserves a new security.

Physical death is part of life. It comes in all forms, many of which are quite difficult and painful. To some it will come early and unexpected. To others it will arrive quite late. But it will come to all. (Hebrews 9:27) And again, Scriptures relates that the only way to fully prepare to die is to be re-born. Responding to the message of the cross andthe new birth is essential. But doing so while there is still precious time is equally critical. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) And, "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." (Hebrews 3:15)

The new birth requires the right timing.

Pray for medical conditions to improve globally and that the above mentioned mortality rate will soon decrease significantly. Buy pray even more that committed Christians will reach out to these women at risk with the miracle of the 'other' new birth - the one offered only through Jesus Christ.

The new birth relates the miracle of redemption to others.

Bill Breckenridge