What the Overturning of Roe v. Wade Means for True Followers of Christ

Clarence L. Haynes Jr. Contributing Writer
Updated Jul 01, 2022

The overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court was a landmark decision in our country. It was the answer to a prayer many have sought for decades. As I take a step back and consider the gravity of this decision, surprisingly I have discovered a heaviness looming in my heart.

To be clear I am not grieving over the decision, I am grieving over a truth this decision has once again exposed about our nation. The fact is our nation is sorely divided, and what’s worse is it seems like the divide is widening. At the same time, while some are declaring victory in the streets, others are marching in worry, frustration, fear, and anger because they believe their rights have been stripped away.

This has now added one more element of explosiveness to a powder keg that was already full. It feels like our divided country is a ticking timebomb. When I think about what Jesus said about a divided house, I believe this is the reason my heart is grieved.

“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand’” (Matthew 12:25).

In the wake of how polarized our country has become, my fear is that we are that kingdom on the verge of ruin. Perhaps what is even more disturbing are the political and social divides that have invaded our nation have also invaded the church – and this includes the Roe v Wade decision.

In the wake of this decision, I want to speak to the true followers of Christ – those who are more than casual onlookers or Sunday morning saints, but those who have decided to take up their cross and follow Jesus with a heart that is truly surrendered to him. I am talking to those who desire God’s will above anything else, who seek God’s heart above anything else, and who truly see and love people the same way God does. Those who want the name of Jesus glorified above any person, political party, or agenda, and see Jesus as the true hope for our nation.

If you are that person, you are who I am talking to, and there are three things I want to share with you.

Three things to consider in light of this decision, and the direction of our nation:

1. We Can’t Just Legislate Morality, We Must Demonstrate It

As wonderful as it is that you can fight to change a law, there is one thing we must be mindful of – laws don’t change hearts. While this law on a federal level may have been overturned, that doesn’t mean this has been overturned in people’s hearts. This is not just true of this law, but any law.

While it is right to fight for change in legislation that is unjust or unbiblical, please don’t think that alone is going to shift the morality in our society and move people toward the gospel. It won’t. Changing laws is not what causes people to see Christ in you, how you act does. Here is what Jesus said:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

The way you respond in this moment can potentially do more to show the love of Jesus than anything else you do. Consider these questions for a moment.

How do you demonstrate love to people who may have a different opinion about this decision?
How do you demonstrate love to people who will be impacted by this decision in ways they weren’t before it came down?
How do you avoid victimization and villanization of those who may be on the other side of this debate?

These are the challenges the true followers of Christ face going forward, and how we deal with them will go a long way in determining whether our light shines bright or if it gets snuffed out. We don’t need more sounding boards talking about the morality of our nation, we need more followers of Christ living it out.

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

2. Let’s Not Forget Who Our Real Enemy Is

It has become commonplace and even trendy in this nation to demonize those who have a different opinion then we do, especially in the political arena. However, the Bible is clear these people are not your real enemy.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

We cannot fall into the trap of believing political wins will fix our country because politics is not the biggest challenge we face – sin is. We are a nation that is trapped in the dark webs and deceitfulness of sin. While Roe v Wade was one example, there are many other sins and injustices that permeate our nation that are just as damning and harmful as abortion.

Sin is not overcome by legislation; sin is overcome by transformation. The last time I checked, the only thing strong enough to change a sinful heart is the power of the gospel, which is the hope of salvation. For anyone trapped in sin’s grip, the answer they need is in Jesus Christ. He is the only hope for our nation. Let’s make sure we are putting his name forward towards those who see differently, not in anger or frustration, but with the love and patience of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Let’s be those who plant seeds and water them and give God room to make them grow.

3. We Need to Be United in Prayer More Than Ever Before

The last thing I want to share with you that all true followers of Jesus Christ must do, now more than ever before, is we need to be united in prayer. Please let’s not forget the true purpose in prayer. We know God answers prayer, but another thing God does in prayer is he unites hearts. Imagine the power the church would have if we really united in prayer? Not praying for our own agendas, which sadly has become the center of many prayer movements these days, but praying what Jesus taught us to pray. Your kingdom come; your will be done.

I am going to say this because it’s true – many people are not really interested in God’s will being done, because it interferes with their own agenda. We cannot afford to be those kinds of people any longer, especially if we care about our nation. There has never been a move of God or change in people’s lives and hearts that has not been birthed in prayer. If we become serious in prayer, God will expose the motives of our hearts. And as we seek him, we will not only find him, but we will follow him with genuine hearts where his will becomes our true desire. This is the type of one accord prayer that will bring revival to this nation.

Final Thought

The Roe v Wade decision has made it clear we have a lot of work to do. Will you stand with me and begin to pray for true revival and renewal in your own life, and then for God to pour out his Spirit in our nation? This will only happen when we the people of God turn our hearts toward him and start seeking his face and walking in obedience to his word.

This is the opportunity God has placed before us. I don’t usually do this, but if you have read this and agree, please let me know. It is time that the true followers of Christ join together to be real salt and light in this dark world. I pray you would walk with me in this.

Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. His most recent book is The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has just released his first Bible study course called Bible Study Basics. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com.