For pro-lifers, the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade was a historical triumph. Personally, I thought this day would never come.

Of course, the court’s decision will not end abortion. Individual states still have the right to decide whether or not to protect the lives of unborn children. Some have already chosen to do so; others vow they never will.

While the pro-life/pro-choice debate has always been contentious, a new surge of increased divisiveness has begun. So what’s the next step?

Many Christians are proudly flying the victory flag, but victory will be hollow if women facing an unwanted pregnancy are treated like enemies for contemplating an abortion or like criminals if they make that unfortunate choice. Now more than ever Christians need to reach out to such women, as well as to adamant pro-choicers, with the love and grace of Jesus. Only when a woman sees her own worth as a redeemed child of God will she recognize the worth of her unborn child and be able to confess:

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 139:13-16 NLT).

May God grant this victory!