Seth Udinski, FISM News
Over the last few weeks, FISM News has followed the shocking billboard campaign to promote abortion, run by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Late last week, The Center Square reported that Grace Woodlands Church has chosen to respond to Newsom with billboards of its own.
Newsom has overseen a project which has installed billboards in states outside of California. The billboards, to the anger of Christians and pro-life Americans nationwide, blatantly twist the words of Jesus Christ to support abortion.
Grace Woodlands Church — located in the Houston, Texas suburb of Woodlands — has reportedly put up several billboards in the state of Texas. One of the church’s pastors, Steve Riggle, said recently that the church is also vying for several billboards out of the state of Texas, namely Wisconsin.
The billboard, depicting a picture of an infant child, says, “Do I matter? God says yes. Abortion says no. Your vote says what you say. Vote for me. Vote for life.”
Pastor Riggle and the congregation of Grace Woodlands are joining in the fight not only for the protection of innocent babies but for the protection of the purity of scripture. Newsom’s ad, which has surfaced in several states outside California, perverts Jesus’s words in Mark 12:31 by trying to convince citizens that abortion access is somehow an act of love.
FISM News previously reported that renowned pastor and author John MacArthur penned a scathing response to Newsome, calling to account the public sins of the California governor and calling him to repent.
Author’s Biblical Analysis:
There is no reason for me to dive into the horror of Newsom’s billboard ad, or his need for repentance. Better and wiser men than I have already done so. Instead, I would like to focus on the inspirational response from Grace Woodlands Church, and how Christians should respond with the simple truth when we engage with nonbelievers.
Our encouragement, therefore, is this — When those who hate God twist His Word and propagate lies, we must respond with the truth, in love.
For the Christian, we must never enter into a conflict such as this without these two engines that drive every word we say. If we fail in one of these categories, we fail in our witness. Truth without love is mere cruelty, and love without truth is a whitewashed lie. Christians must not fail in either one.
The leadership of Grace Woodlands exemplified this beautifully. Instead of falling into the trap of merely attacking Newsom, or failing to bring light to the true horror of abortion, the Grace Woodlands billboard delivered the message of strong truth without any kind of cruelty — Abortion is a sin that God detests.
While there are many potential markers that separate Christians from the rest of the world, this is one of the clearest. It is truly a profound testimony to God when His people engage in discussion, ferociously defending the truth while doing it with grace and compassion. It seems paradoxical and possibly even contradictory, but it is our clear command in scripture.
The question believers must ask is this: How do we do this? Our answer is simple: Look to Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ, our great example for all life and godliness, was the perfect embodiment of truth and love. He delivered harsh truth that was never cruel. He showed tender love that never made excuses for illicit behavior. As our Good Shepherd, he exhibited the tenderness and compassion to love the flock and the tenacity and courage to defend it from the wolves.
Believer, when you engage with those who hate God, look to Christ as your example. Be ready to speak the truth, even if it is hard to do so. Make sure when you do it, it is never for illicit motives but always for two reasons: the glory of God and the good of the person with whom you are speaking.
Ultimately, that is our end goal in life. We give glory to God, and we share the good news with whoever is listing so that pagans may hear the gospel and repent.
As you are given the opportunity to defend the truth, may you look to Christ as your guide, and always do it with courage and compassion.
But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ… – Ephesians 4:15