LifeDate Fall 2026 – Preach Life
by Virginia J. Flo
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
In our 250th year as a country, we are reminded of the message embedded in our Declaration of Independence, where it clearly states why our country exists. We are for “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” For this article, let’s focus on life.
Many have learned from childhood about Christ Jesus and are wise to how faith in Him brings salvation. We know from Scripture God has a plan, and within that plan is the gift of life and the promise of eternal life for all who believe. The commandments God has provided in Scripture provide a guide to right and wrong and how we must be faithful to those commandments in our life. The Fifth Commandment (“You Shall Not Murder”) makes it clear that life is special and taking a life is a sin.
How is it then that life is put into jeopardy as Christians remain silent in response to what is happening in our world today? Even within our churches, people are afraid to speak up to support life and step aside in silence when they know brutal acts of abortion, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, and other means of cutting short another person’s life, or even their own, are taking place. The fear that these are political issues and we need to stay clear of them is irrational. Yes, these life issues have been thrust into the political arena by those wanting the freedom to discard life without penalty. Yet we know, from Scripture, that these are not primarily political issues, but rather spiritual issues. For that reason, we need to speak and preach life whenever we can, especially through our prayers, our verbal interactions, and our votes as citizens of this free country where God has blessed us to live. Use your freedom to participate in the democratic process to right any wrongs and protect the lives of the defenseless and those who believe taking their own life is the best solution to ending their personal suffering.
We don’t make laws, but we elect those who do. Focus on what God’s Word says about life and why it is important for us to speak up For Life. If your chosen party or candidate is not For Life, you have the right to respectfully speak to them, whether in person or by email or a phone call. If your chosen party or candidate doesn’t support life and, in fact, openly professes a position that promotes death as a solution to a problem, you need to search your conscience and answer the question as to why you are supporting that. Without life, what is there? It is the highest priority God has given us to protect.
God hasn’t held back any punches on this topic. He has been very clear in His position as through creation, redemption, and Baptism, He has called us and paved the way for us to live forever. That is most certainly a clear message called LIFE. God emphasizes this in Isaiah 43:1 where He says, “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” This relationship we each have with God is personal. With these words, He is speaking to you, and now you need to speak for Him on behalf of “those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8).
As a Christian who believes the Bible to be true, it is extremely important that you use all opportunities to speak For Life in a manner that reflects God’s love For Life. I pray that all pastors will include prayers For Life in worship and preach life from the pulpit. I also pray that we all include life in our prayers and interactions with others. Never give up on evaluating and perhaps even sacrificing some personal priorities to save a defenseless baby from abortion or the sick, elderly, or mentally ill from physician-assisted suicide, as life is precious and God loves life.