STATEMENT re. SCOTUS DECISION
Statement on the Supreme Court’s Decision re. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health
Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, June 25, 2022
Many today would have us believe that to love our friends, demonstrate loyalty to those most likely to act and think as we do and/or our unwavering commitment to a preferred cause, requires us to reject, denigrate, or outright hate those that are not our friends; that is, those of varying backgrounds and life experiences whose thoughts and opinions are therefore different from our own.
Instead, interaction with such people or discussion of their perspectives affords us an opportunity to rise above otherwise self-centered or self-serving human nature, narratives, tendencies, and fears, which only perpetuate divisions and/or the dehumanization of others. It affords us an opportunity to extend grace (by sharing unmerited favor) and mercy (by withholding derision or scorn) to others, from which we too have benefitted. It affords us an opportunity to practice the biblical admonition to “live wisely among those that are not believers and make the most of every opportunity, letting (our) conversation be gracious and attractive, knowing how we should respond to each person,” (Colossians 4:5-6).
In short, it affords us an opportunity to love the way Jesus first loved us, still loves us, and commands us to love one another and others, our biblical neighbors: unconditionally, faithfully, and sacrificially.
Likewise, the consequential ruling handed down by the United States Supreme Court on Friday, June 24, affords us – the people of Mosaic – with an opportunity to love one another and others as Jesus expects us to do, whether or not thoughts or opinions align. It affords us the opportunity to ensure that Hope for All is more than a slogan but a guiding principle by which we will continue choosing to live and love.
More significantly, the Supreme Court’s ruling affords us an unprecedented opportunity to become the hands and feet of Jesus to a) precious souls created by God in His image (Genesis 1:26; 5:1-2) and, therefore, with fundamental dignity, intrinsic value, and unique significance who yet remain without voice in the womb and equally to b) precious women faced at any given moment with the unimaginable burden and life-altering consequences of unplanned, undesirable, or criminally induced pregnancies.
To the degree we can, we must now – more than ever – stand with, by, and for these women and babies from the moment of conception, when human life begins, throughout the months of pregnancy, and as well as in the years following delivery of a child.
In this moment, then, let us renew our commitment (individually and collectively) to express grace, mercy, and love in light of all such pregnancies and more specifically to the women directly involved.
One way we already do this is through Mosaic’s Teen MOPS program in partnership with Vine and Village. Teen MOPS provides a supportive and welcoming environment where a teen mom can come and let her guard down, find motivation, encouragement, and relief knowing she is not alone.
Perhaps there are other ways in which we can do so in time and/or visions you would like to pursue in this regard. If so, please let us know.
One way or another, we, the people of Mosaic, will continue to stand firm in our collective mission to walk, work, and worship God together as on one for the sake of the gospel (John 17:21-23); in our commitment to be peacemakers identified with the Son of God (Matthew 5:9); as Ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20); as disciples of Jesus validated by our love for God (Matthew 12:30); love for one another (John 13:35); love for our biblical neighbors (those of varying background and life experience, Matthew 12:31); and love for all those with who we might not be aligned in thought or opinion (Matthew 5:43-48).
Therefore, we encourage you to spend time reflecting on the following verses and, with them in mind, considering your own response to the Supreme Court’s decision re. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health.
Indeed, may the Holy Spirit continue to guide and be with us… the people and passion of Mosaic.
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Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Matthew 22:37-40
“’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even unbelievers do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
I Peter 4:8
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of errors and wrongs.”
I John 4:7
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”
I Corinthians 13:11-13
“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”
John 17:20-23
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”