Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; Before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Gal. 3:29 NKJV
“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
John 10:10 NKJV
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
The pro-life movement has vociferously fought for the abolition of abortions. They argue that an abortion at any time is an abomination to the sanctity of life and is not ours to take. They also say that life begins in the womb and is sacred. It is not the objective of this article to agree or disagree with this view of the right to life. I simply want to make the point that life begins before conception and extends beyond the grave.
The Bible says that the prophet Jeremiah was known before he was conceived in his mother’s womb. Then, he was formed, sanctified (set apart) and ordained (appointed) to be a prophet (one who is called) while in his mother’s womb. His being set apart, appointed and called were all envisioned before he was conceived. Once birthed, he was sent to the nations of the world. In addition to all of this, the Lord had plans for the people that Jeremiah ministered to as well. Again, the Lord’s plans for those nations were formed before Jeremiah was born, but he was the catalyst by which the Lord’s message would be delivered.
Chapter 29, verse 11, says the Lord had a plan in place to bless the people through the ministry of Jeremiah. The blessings were manifested in the lives of the people as Jeremiah went forth in ministry. His plan was to prosper and not harm. It was a plan of hope and a future they would experience while they were in the land of the living.
While the promise Jeremiah proclaimed was specifically for the descendants of Abraham, the New Testament widens the recipient pool and includes any and everyone who has received Christ as their Lord and Savior (Gal. 3:29). They all are now seeds of Abraham and heirs of the promise which are; “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
But there is more! Not only is there a promise of earthly blessing that include hope and a future, there is the promise given by Christ Himself that rebukes the enemy, the thief who comes but to kill, steal and destroy, and promises everlasting life. That’s life beyond the grave.
When a child is born into the world, there must be an intentional commitment to care for, feed, clothe, educate, house, teach, and empower each individual child so that they become everything they were intended to be before the beginning of time. They must also and simultaneously be prepared to go from death to life when their existence on earth is no more. They must be prepared for everlasting life that goes further than the tomb. The scripture makes it clear that the life of every soul comes before the womb and must be nurtured through life and beyond the tomb.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; and creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE.
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