We Are Called to Reflect the Fruit of the Spirit

Tecumseh Cove
Jan 7
4 min read

January 7, 2026

Leadership Notes

First things first…I trust we all had a joyous Christmas. I guess you could say that’s a stupid question. Of course, Christmas was joyous. It celebrates the birth of our Savior. Christmas marks the beginning of the trajectory of salvation history.

A lot has transpired since I last wrote. Tragedies and triumphs. Life takes no holiday. These are often the places where faith and culture intersect.

A little over a week before Christmas, actor/director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle, were murdered by their son. About as horrible as you can imagine. Their son suffered severe mental illness.

Most of the reflections on this tragic event were filled with grace and compassion. I was disappointed by our President’s response. Not really surprised, though. It’s hard for people to rise above partisanship.

There’s no disputing Reiner was a bombastic, bloviating social/political commentarian. Had nothing to do with his son’s issues or actions. I hope that any of us, if we ever find ourselves when someone who has been antagonistic or less the kind to us, meets an unfortunate situation of event, would respond with grace and compassion. We remember that, as devoted followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to reflect the fruit of the Spirit Paul talks about in Galatians 5. That is the work Jesus would have us do.

After all this, I was reading about Reiner’s spirituality. While not deep, he had questions. Raised by his atheist father, Carl, he had some questions about what’s beyond our lives here. He once said he found Buddhism appealing. As we’ve been reading in Luke 13, that ain’t it. The door to heaven is narrow. We only enter through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone. That’s what our Savior taught. He shows us the way.

The Reiner’s son ended any journey toward the cross their Christian friends might have been praying for them. Remember how Jesus answered when asked about the tragedy of the Tower of Siloam falling on and killing many people. Instead of asking why bad things happen to people, Jesus said we need to be right with God when a tower falls on us.

James Woods and Rob Schneider are two show business types who have conservative/libertarian takes on culture and politics I like. Not that I agree with them on everything, but they are always thoughtful…sometimes provocative…never boring.

James Woods said:

“Rob talked when Charlie Kirk was assassinated…People said such horrible things, and Rob did not. And when people say horrible things about Rob right now, I find it, quite frankly, infuriating and distasteful.”

Actor/Comedian Rob Schneider said:

“Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle have been tragically killed today. I am deeply saddened. Every life is sacred and given by God, our Creator. One of the most accomplished American directors who ever lived, his movies have been adored by generations, but I will remember him most for making me laugh my guts out with my Dad watching the greatest American TV show of all time, ‘All in The Family.’ I will be praying for his friends and family that they may find solace and peace.”

That is the way. Now, I understand, in secular America, we elect a Commander-in-Chief, not a Pastor-or-Theologian-in Chief. Lord knows, with the likes of Nixon and Clinton and Biden, the bar is set pretty low. Carter was one of the finest Christian men to serve as President, and as far as his time in office, he was a train wreck. The intersection of faith and culture can be tricky. Perhaps it needs to be a roundabout?

Schneider nails the response. It’s too late for Rob and Michelle Reiner to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. But not for their family and friends and the larger group of unbelievers who admired his work and/or politics. As we’ve seen in Luke 13, which has the heading, REPENT OR PERISH, Jesus makes everything clear:

“Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

- Luke 13:4-5

The story of where we’re at in our walk with Jesus Christ is told in how we respond to tragedy. I’m sure you’ve known someone who wasn’t kind to you. How will you be in their demise? What will you reflect when trouble hits them? We must always strive to be at our best.

I love how anti-abortion activist Dr. Abby Johnson captures it:

“We don’t need any more political talking points. We don’t need any more finger pointing. We desperately need more Jesus.”

Finally, two pieces of wise counsel from Charles Spurgeon.

First:

“If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are

worse than he thinks you to be.”

And second:

Charles Spurgeon taught that when treated with hatred, Christians should respond with prayer, forbearance, and loving them back with good, rather than revenge. Remember, the world's hatred often stems from our faith, and we should focus on God's approval, not worldly approval, by praying for our enemies and heaping "coals of fire" (acts of kindness) on their heads.