Fruit

The devotional I was reading yesterday (by K.J. West) said:

The fruit (singular) of the Spirit that Paul mentions is a communal gift, and only God can give the growth needed for this fruit -- by way of the life-giving energy of the Spirit.  Paul says that a church being led by the Spirit will be marked by the presence of these gifts.  

Hmmm.  A church being led by the Spirit will be marked by the presence of these gifts.  That makes sense.  Is the opposite true?  Does the absence of these gifts mark a church that has wavered from its purpose?  That is not following the leading of the Spirit?

When division and disunity prevail, and there is no kindness, no compassion, no patience, is that a symptom that should tell us more than the idea that everyone is not getting along?  When hatred and distrust prevail, even when those involved feel a sense of righteousness, is that a warning?

Can we, as church communities, work through our differences while also following God?  Of course we can, but it's harder.  It means that  love prevails, and we have to be intentional about it.  It means we must continue to focus on the idea that the person in front of us, with whom we disagree, is a child of God.  The person is still a person you love, and not an object.  (Sounds like The Anatomy of Peace.)