Fruit of the Spirit - Part two from the "Christian Pro-life Movement"

the following is a continuation from the blog post "Christian Pro-life Movement"

Fruit of the Spirit
For those of us Christians working for justice on issues like abortion, violence, or international conflict, we need to ask ourselves this; will others see Christ in us through our work? Will they know who Jesus is simply by knowing who we are?
Galatians 5 paints a picture of what sinful nature looks like. But it also paints a picture of what the fruit of the Spirit looks like. The fruit being the visible qualities we bear when we are living in Christ.

Galations 5:22-23 “The fruit of the spirit is this; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”.

These seem like “Utopian-like” ethics, but maybe as Christians we ought to see them as essential ethics and characteristics for building the kingdom of God. These fruits can seem unrealistic under certain situations, but maybe that’s where and when they become the most effective. Maybe that’s where and when people begin to really see who this Christ is, and get a glimpse of what His kingdom will one day look like. What if in the greatest moments of conflict instead of our last resort being violence, our last resort was kindness. What if in the most difficult hour of our struggle, we remained faithful with self-control. Now, imagine if not just for the last resort, but for every part of the process, from beginning to end, these characteristics were strong and consistent. What if our love or our peace didn’t become something that was robbed from us when we were pushed so far, but instead, were characteristics that remained steadfast and stable. Maybe good can overcome evil (Romans 12:21) by doing the exact opposite that evil would do. Some in this world bring destruction and death but we have a message of life, and hope. Even our own countries enforce embargo's on other countries, yet we as Christians are taught to feed our enemies when they are hungry (Romans 12:20).

Human beings are not the source of evil. This is something I personally too often forget. The same devil planting deadly seeds in my life, is the same devil planting seeds in my enemies life.

Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Paul urges us to actively bring forth the “gospel of peace“ (Eph 6:15). Paul was once a man who bore the sword on behalf of his religious convictions, but as a convert to Christianity makes a declaration against the weapons of this world (2 Corinthians 10) and speaks of a more powerful sword; the word of God (Eph. 6:17)

Even Paul, a murderer and persecutor of innocent people, became one of the most influential writers in the bible as he wrote many of the New Testament books. Paul’s story is a shining example of redemption through Christ; Christ working through the least of these. Although we are imperfect, we too can be the shining examples of redemption as we share the fruits of the spirit with this world inviting them to experience the wonderful Kingdom that is being built.

When are enemies are hungry or thirsty, we give them something to eat and drink. We as Christians believe we can counter injustice and over-come evil with good. Jesus said, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.” Let us encourage each other as we bring change to the world right now. Even if its in small baby steps. Let us encourage each other as we authentically and consistently live inside and out, the fruits of the spirit.

She Skips: Ode to a young Palestinian girl

The Christian Pro-Life Movement

As a child I remember my parents taking my brothers and I each year to an abortion rally on Lundy’s Lane, a street that runs through the heart of Niagara Falls. For 3-4 hours we would stand on the side of this busy road holding pro-life
signs. Peacefully, quietly, and collectively we joined together as a church community with a strong message. The heart of the message was that as Christians we valued every individual life
no matter how small, no matter how young, even if a child was still growing in the womb.

On May 31st, 2009 in Wichita Kansas, an anti-abortion activist Scott Roeder murdered abortion doctor George Tiller. The murder prompted Christian anti-abortion groups to decry the
murder. Wendy Wright, the president of Concern Women for America issued the following statement:

"Through the years, hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers have prayed for George Tiller, peacefully tried to persuade him to end his killing of innocent children and exploitation of women, and actively worked to enforce the laws of Kansas. We were guided by the hope that he would change his ways and find forgiveness in Jesus Christ.... Politicians, abortion activists, law enforcement and the media should be careful to distinguish between the millions of peaceful pro-lifers who seek the end of abortion and provide compassionate care for pregnant women, and the person who acted as a vigilante. We denounce this act of violence against George Tiller, just as we denounce the violence he committed against unborn babies and women."

The pro-life movement for years has largely been led my Christian groups. Usually their message is communicated through love and compassion as they maintain a pro-active stance on reaching mothers and families in need in order to reduce the rate of abortion. For the most part Christian groups have neither ignored the injustice, nor taken revenge upon abortion doctors, clinics, or mothers (of course, as we know there have been a few exceptions that include inappropriate conduct or in the situation mentioned above; violence). The majority of Christians find peace, creativity and action to be essential in the effort to reduce abortion.

I believe that the Christian pro-life movement extends far beyond the issue of abortion. The Christian church has rejected the use of violence to overcome abortion, yet largely embraces military action when dealing with international conflict abroad. There is no doubt that the Christian church in the West has been a strong advocate for the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The reality is, the majority of Christians are pacifists when it comes to the issue of abortion yet when fighting a ‘war on terror’, we often support forms of violent justice. Jesus spoke against an eye for eye but in fact Christians have been endorsing retaliation since the time of Constantine.

The apostle Paul instructs us to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. This is a Christian ethic that I believe to be essential when dealing with international conflict; especially if as Christians we claim to be ambassadors for Christ.

When Jesus was being arrested, Peter picked up his sword to defend Jesus. Jesus responded by saying “Put down your sword, he who lives by the sword will die by the sword”. Underlying this statement is the reality that violence flows in a continuous cycle. Pax Romana teaches that the sword can bring peace. Jesus’ message is that the sword will bring death, and he urges his followers to “love your enemies”.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said
“Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals.”

After telling Peter to put his sword back in its place, Jesus went over and healed the man whom Peter struck with that very sword. This is a strong and powerful message that Jesus made. It is a message of love in action. This is also a message of grace and possibly even redemption. Although I do not know the fate of the soldier that was healed, there is a good chance this mans life was transformed by that moment; not because of some miracle, but because of the absolute love that comes from Christ alone.

To be a pacifist is not to be confused with passive:


Most believe that with the issue of abortion a violent response is not only in-effective, but sends a counter message that contradicts the whole pro-life movement. I question the hypocrisy of how we can support oppressive and violent military action against one evil, yet demand non-violent peaceful response to another. We need not to decide between strategies, but base our decisions on sound doctrine, the word of God and which for Christians means following Jesus the Christ.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you, love one another as I have loved you”
As much as we have a desire for vengeance, we must leave that up to God, because now we have a Christ to follow. We are not called to be like God, we are called to be like Christ; and it is in HIS footsteps that we should follow.

The murder of Dr. George Tiller is not a celebration for the Christian community. It is not a victory where we wave our flags high. As pro-lifers we mourn the loss of each and every baby, just as we mourn the loss of Dr. George Tiller. Why, because we value life, inside the womb, and outside. But more-so, as Christians we come with a message of love and compassion to our community, in hopes that we can transform peoples lives so that they too may know Jesus Christ as their savior.

I wonder how Peter felt that day that he stood in the garden with Jesus and the men who arrested him? I wonder how he felt when Jesus rebuked him? He must of felt confused, maybe even a bit offended. I wonder how we would feel if Jesus were here today, and went over to Afghanistan to heal the men, women, children, enemies and civilians that we have spent almost a decade bombing. We would maybe feel betrayed against in our attempts for a noble cause.

No evil is too evil to be overcome with good; abortion, terrorism, or even our own sins that put our Christ on a cross.

We can still transform this world, but we must do it according to the teachings of Christ.

It may not be the easy or violent way.
But it is the way of Christ. And it is Good!

a nonviolent artist