Keeping an Open Mind

There is a fierce, divisive debate going on in the world, which has recently escalated when the US courts handed down a controversial decision that has sparked both protests or celebrations, depending on whether you are pro or con.   

One side is pro-choice: abortion should be legalized because it is a fundamental right of a woman and should not be limited by laws or religion. Pregnant women opt for unsafe illegal abortions because there is no legal option. 

The other side is pro-life: individual human life begins at fertilization, and therefore abortion is the immoral killing of an innocent human being. It is unfair to allow abortion when couples who cannot biologically conceive are waiting to adopt. 

Some Christians have stayed neutral, “We are keeping an open mind, studying all the arguments before saying it is right or wrong.” 

“Keeping an open mind . . .” in this sense means: tolerance, reserving judgment.   

What does the Bible say about being open-minded (Luke 24:45-47 NLT)? “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” 

From Jesus’ own mouth, these words came, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’”   

He opened the disciples’ mind to everything that He fulfilled as written by Moses and the prophets. 

The world does not see Scripture the way believers, who live by grace, do. They look at it based on logic; we look at it based on faith. The opening of our mind is guided by the Holy Spirit. 

Keeping an open mind is not about “studying all the arguments before saying it is right or wrong.” It is about seeing issues in light of how Jesus sees them. 

Ask and reflect: Am I keeping an open mind in this debate on abortion?