Matthew 12:33-38: “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. ‘Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it on the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.'”
In the wake of the bombshell news that the Iowa Republican Platform Committee reportedly decided to remove a plank affirming biblically defined marriage, there was a surprising quote from Steve Scheffler, the leader of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition. He said, “If the Republican Party doesn’t stand for life and marriage, I don’t know what it stands for.” This might seem like a normal and natural statement for the head of an organization that includes the words “faith” and “freedom” in its name, but it was surprising given the organization’s position this last session on the issue of life.
The Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition did not stand for life; in fact, they registered opposition to HF 2256—a bill that would have abolished abortion. That’s right, the IFFC chose to align itself not with pastors, churches, or other life groups but with Planned Parenthood as the only entities to register opposition to the bill that would make abortion illegal and grant equal protection under the law to children in the womb.
So, has there been repentance and a change of heart for Steve Scheffler? Unfortunately, the only thing that has changed is the season. Now that there are no consequences of the legislative body being in session, Steve can puff out his chest and make statements that are factually correct, but they are clearly hollow.
Jesus put it this way in Matthew 12:33: “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.” The fruit of Scheffler and the IFFC is that of death and betrayal to the most innocent and vulnerable among us. Now, he is attempting to put a conservative veneer on this rotten fruit for political expediency. To this, I echo the words of Jesus in the next verse of the passage, “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things?” Unfortunately, Steve’s words are empty and idle.
Jesus warns that these empty and idle words will be judged, and he will have to give an account for them one day. For this reason, I warn Steve that he should repent now and confess his sin. It has been far too long that the “faith vote” of Iowa has been led by cavalier men who act outside the shepherding of God’s ordained ministers.
Steve has made a mockery of the innocent blood that flows in our state for too long. It is time he is held accountable for it. I ask that you join me in calling for his repentance and praying that he puts Biblical substance behind his actions so that he is not merely a hearer of the word of God, but a doer also.
In the Service of Christ,
Rev. Sam Jones
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, Humboldt, IA
Author: Sam Jones
Pastor Sam completed an intense pastoral internship at Hagerman Baptist Church and served as a chaplain at Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls, Iowa before accepting the call to pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Hudson, Iowa. He loves people and his goal is to make disciples of Christ by personally, prayerfully, and persistently investing the Word of God into others.
I’m behind Steve. I’m sure there was good reasoning behind his statements.
We cannot have a total ban on abortion and I also believe in exceptions to a total ban.