Google Allows Pro-life Ads

The concept of David versus Goliath did not end in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, thanks to The Christian Institute. The British group is a cross-denominational Christian charity that upholds Biblical truth and promotes the sanctity of life and defense of traditional family values. And now, upon settling a lawsuit, the organization has brought the internet giant Google to its knees. The world-wide policy change allows, for the first time ever, for religious groups to place pro-life ads with Google.

Fox news legal analyst Mercedes Colwin stated of the outcome, "This is a watershed moment. Google has decided to stop aborting anti-abortion ads."

Christians and Christian groups need not look far to discover anti-biblical bias and actions that can and should be opposed. And while the primary thrust of the church is still to promote and propagate the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, the church does have a secondary role – that of salt and light in dark culture. (Matthew 5:13)

Ephesians 6:10-20 reveals in detail the basic response of any believer when exposed to, or attacked by, evil. The word used repeatedly in the passage is "stand". Verse 11 commands the Christian to "stand against the wiles of the devil." Verse 13 says, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Armor is hardly needed if one regularly runs from confrontation. Paul left no doubt that, like it or not, every Christian is engaged in a spiritual battle - and one which carries both incredible responsibility and incomprehensible consequences.

Just one chapter earlier in Ephesians, the Apostle gives the extent to which a believer is to be involved when circumstances demand action. Verse 8 begins, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord." Then in verse 11, he drives home a powerful point as it relates to blatant, outward wickedness. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." It is one thing to avoid running with the wrong crowd. But it is something altogether different to run headfirst against them.

According to Scripture, the Head of the church came for 2 express reasons. One is shown clearly in 1 John 3:8. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." The other is revealed in Luke 19:10. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Both concepts are, of course, interconnected and necessary to achieve God’s great redemptive plan.

The Lord Jesus Christ is pro-life, physically and spiritually. He is the author of both. And He proved that by fulfilling the role that only He could. But His finished work on the cross is now aided, and ultimately fulfilled, when those who join His ranks boldly march into a dark and hostile territory as the lights of the world. (Matthew 5:14)

Bill Breckenridge