All of life’s moral and ethical challenges hinge on the orientation of our faith. Is it God-centered, man-centered, or self-centered? Is the sum and substance of my existence to keep to myself, to keep peace in the world, to make it a moral society, or to be a witness to the eternal truth of salvation?

The reality in any culture is that life is full of opportunities to glorify God and to witness to His Truth. An equal reality is that every culture affords people the opportunity to make choices consistent with the Christian faith (its focus and mission) or contrary to it.

There is nothing in Scripture that directs Christians to force or even deceptively trick people into a moral or ethical decision and lifestyle. In fact, Scripture has cautioned against the hollowness of actions without faith (Isaiah 64:6; Hebrews 11:6).

What is evident throughout the Bible is the paramount importance placed on the welfare of the soul (Matthew 16:26). Its salvation is found not in the deeds (Romans 4:6-8; Ephesians 2:8-9) but in the faith. Because faith is not a “work” we cannot make it for ourselves or make a “decision” to believe because faith is neither a status earned or a conclusion logically reached (1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Hebrews 11:1). Faith comes through God’s Word by the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit (Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:16).

Now, to ask the timeless Lutheran question: “what does this mean?” as it relates to your issue…

The misnamed “emergency contraception” may, and perhaps, most often works as a genuine contraceptive. It may prevent the joining of egg and sperm. But, as stated in the pharmaceutical guide, it may also act to jettison an unborn life by preventing its implantation in the womb. This, of course, is the crux of the problem for a Christian because even at conception the Bible talks about it being life (Psalm 51:5). For that reason we do not want to be in any position that causes the loss of that life.

Because, as stated above, our mission is not to force people into godly action (for without faith such action is of no value), we are left with the one thing that the Christian faith compels us to do from the beginning, to witness. With our words and our lives we must always be telling the truth and pointing to the Author of Truth, namely God.

Everyone who receives the Truth of God’s Word is still presented with countless options to sin. Because of the weakness we all have in our faith we try to minimize the temptations of sin by avoiding those circumstances.

For example, suppose your friend suffers from the sin of drunkenness. By your witness he comes to know Jesus as his Savior and learns from God’s Word that drunkenness is a sin. The opportunity to fall into drunkenness is still present. Because you know that even in faith we have periods of weakness (Mark 9:24) you try to avoid laying temptation before your friend. You may choose not to serve alcohol at a party or to at least have non-alcoholic alternatives for your friend to drink. In the end, however, your friend must still make the choice consistent with his faith.

In the same way, you must minimally witness to the truth. Your employer may insist that as part of your employment you must refer a patient to someone else for so-called “emergency contraception.” You cannot, however, deny your first calling to be a witness to the truth.

In giving that witness you do not use it like a judgmental club beating compliancy out of your patient. Scripture tells us to witness with “great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). Great patience means that the message may not always be well-received at the moment you give it. It may take time to have an effect. In fact, it may not take effect until way after a decision to use “emergency contraception” has been made. The speed of the message’s efficacy is in God’s hands.

Careful instruction means you speak accurately and lovingly. Do not overstate what “emergency contraception” is. But also, do not shy away from what the documented facts are as stated in the pharmaceutical guide.

If at all possible, witness to your employer that his or her business ought not to be facilitating the possibility of costing an unborn child’s life. If that does not work, however, you can still be a witness. You can still tell the truth and leave the weight of your testimony on the heart of the patient who then takes a referral and the message you gave, and makes her own decision.

If your employer, however, forbids your witness as a Christian health care professional, fight for that right. Every person conducts his or her employment reflecting personal values. Do not be prejudiced against others because of your Christian view. Do not easily back down from the right to practice those values (Acts 4:18-20). It may mean hardship for you but your first allegiance is undeniable (Acts 5:29; 1 Peter 3:17).

The key here is to be able to witness to the truth. Do it with love, with patience, with focus, with care for accuracy, and from your heart of faith.