The Fruitful

I.        Vow of Affirmation

“We devote our daily life to God, and to serving our neighbors as images of God”

3. I will live, speak and act with truth, compassion, kindness, gentleness, mercy, patience, generosity, and expectant hope that others will respond in kind.

purpletwinkie via Flickr

The call to Christian peacemaking involves our whole being and takes place in the whole of life. It involves our thinking and speaking as well as our acting. It is manifested in more than just retaliation from harmful force and power—in fact it is characterized as much by positive action as by negative avoidances. Among these positive responses, the diverse fruit of the Spirit are clear signs and elements of Christ’s peaceful way. 

It is this fruit-bearing Spirit who makes Christian peacemaking unique among those committing to nonviolence. While there is an element of human perseverance and resolve in our covenant, turning the other cheek and emptying oneself in cross-bearing are foundationally enabled by the Holy Spirit at work in us, continuing the work of reconciliation already initiated by God at work in Jesus. It is this already-but-not-yet saving work of Jesus which gives us the freedom to think, speak and act on truthful nonviolence in the “expectant hope that others will respond in kind.”  Read aloud the commitment today: “I will live, speak and act with truth, compassion, kindness, gentleness, mercy, patience, generosity, and expectant hope that others will respond in kind.”

For Reflection and Action:

• Read Matthew 5:33-37. God is not against covenants and vows, but calls for straightforward honesty rather than desperate promises and inconsequential oaths (based on things we cannot control) to carry out our vows. In seeking to live out our covenant of nonviolence, how will you commit straightforwardly with a sincere “yes, yes?” Ask God for strength and perseverance to do so.
• Sit with Galatians 5:16-26, reading it several times, especially 5:22-25. When have you experienced being led by the spirit (as an individual, in a group)? To what fruit were you led?
• Notice and name the fruit you have seen in yourself and in others today. Thank God for that work of the Holy Spirit.
• What of your “passions and desires” need to be crucified and guided into what the Spirit desires?

Prayer Focus

Trustworthy God,

we rejoice that our discipleship is empowered by your Spirit.

We rejoice that we have been entrusted

to carry out our vows with a joyful, simple yes.

But we also confess that we need your ongoing help to carry out our work.

Truthful God, produce in us today your fruit,

transform us by your Spirit.