“Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me,” declared William Wilberforce, a British politician and leader in the abolition of the slave trade.

Wilberforce was horrified by the widespread humanitarian crisis, and he could not stand by and let injustice ensue. As Christians, God calls us to defend the weak; however, many Christians fervently avoid politics and controversy. As a young adult in today’s polarizing and antagonistic world, I understand how difficult it can be to stand alone and raise a voice; yet the Bible makes it clear that Christians are to continuously stand firm on the truth of God’s word, defend the weak, and pursue goodness.

In a culture that pushes “your truth,” it can be difficult to stand with our convictions and argue that abortion is wrong. We are often misled by the impression that Jesus was always accepting.

In 2018, Barna Group studied the Gen Z population. The study found that only 30 percent of engaged Christians believed that it was okay to challenge another person’s point of view. This is truly a tragedy, for God calls us to be a “city on a hill” (Matthew 5:14).

We are called to stand for what the Bible teaches, and the Bible is explicitly prolife.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. […] Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:13-16).

This is just one piece of evidence in scripture proving that God values the lives of the unborn, for He created them lovingly and with a purpose. We should be confident in the word of God, not being accepting of perversions and injustices, but knowing our convictions and standing firm.

An encouraging fact about Gen Z is that we are very passionate against injustice. A study from the Edelman research firm shows that 70 percent of Gen Z are involved in a social or political cause.

However, the depravity of the world can be overwhelming. When we hear the statistics that 2,548 preborn children will die in America today, or that in America over 63 million unborn babies have been aborted since 1973, we can feel insignificant and powerless. My friends — be encouraged!

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). God has blessed our generation with a heart for doing good. Don’t let the evil in the world discourage you from showing the light.

I often think of the story of Esther. She became queen at a time when Jews like her were being persecuted. When considering if she should use her position to speak up, she turned to her guardian, Mordecai. His following words have been championed for centuries. “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). God places us where He wants us, and He will empower us to achieve His plans for us, if only we pursue goodness.

I implore you, as a young Christian in a dark world, to be the light.

The Bible is clear about what we, as Christians, should do. “Open your mouth, judge
righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9). Who is more poor and needy than an innocent, unborn child?

Stand for those who cannot stand for themselves. Chase what is righteous and true. Allow the word of God to hold you unshaken. Don’t stand by complacently amid the atrocity of abortion. As Wilberforce courageously announced, “Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me.”

The unborn need you, and God has called you to defend them. Do not stay silent.