In 1973, the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) issued an unjust ruling that has helped to deprive millions of unborn Americans of their lives. Because of that ruling, the blood of more than 40,000,000 innocent unborn American citizens is in part on the hands of those judges who ruled in favor of legalizing abortion in the US.
Soon, the justices who are currently on SCOTUS will issue a landmark ruling that will likely have immense ramifications for Christians in the US. As we pray and wait for the outcome of this momentous case, let us who have received forgiveness of our sins keep in mind the example and teaching of Paul that applies to the spiritual needs of the current justices of SCOTUS.
A Pauline Burden for Their Salvation
When he stood on trial before an unjust king, Paul desired that not only that king but also all the other lost people who were present at that hearing would be saved: “And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds” (Acts 26:29). Through his example on this occasion, Paul teaches that we should have a burden for the salvation of those who exercise judicial authority over us, whether they do it justly or not.
A Pauline Emphasis on Praying for These Who Rule Over Us
Writing to Timothy, who was in Ephesus, Paul exhorted him that they should make prayer for ruling authorities a top priority in the corporate prayer life of the Church (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Paul emphasizes in this teaching that such prayer is vital because God would “have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3-4).
Keeping in mind that the justices on SCOTUS are key authorities who rule over us, we must pray fervently in our churches for their salvation.
Discussion
Someday, each of the justices who voted in favor of legalizing abortion in 1973 will stand before the true Supreme Court of heaven and earth and give an account for their sins. In that day, these who were justices on SCOTUS will answer to the God-resurrected, God-glorified Jesus of Nazareth, the One appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42).
Any of them who did not repent of their sins and believe in His name while they were still alive here on the earth died in his sins (John 8:24). God did not want any of them to perish (1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9) and offered each one of them forgiveness of their sins.
Moreover, regardless of how the current SCOTUS rules on the monumental case before them now, God wants them to repent of their sins and believe on His Son. If they will do so, He will forgive them of their sins and save them.
We must have a burden for their salvation and pray to that end. Doing so, we will be followers of Paul and Jesus (cf. Luke 23:34; John 5:34), as we must be (1 Cor. 11:1).
Conclusion
Based on Paul’s apostolic example (Acts 26:29) and instruction (1 Tim. 2:1-8), we understand that God would have us to desire the salvation of the justices on SCOTUS and to make praying for their salvation a priority in our churches. Let us pray fervently for the salvation of the US Supreme Court justices, especially because they are on the brink of making a decision that will likely have enormous ramifications for the cause of Christ!
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