A little leaven

 The Christian and everyday issues.

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

With these biblical injunctions, the head of the church, Jesus Christ, laid it to rest that our character can not be separated from our Christian profession. A Christian, like every other person, meets everyday issues, but must be careful not to indulge in self-delusion that there is a thin line between our Christian calling and interactions with others like our neighbours, coworkers, or acquaintances. Most are tempted to think that practising Christian ethics is only possible- easy when you are in the midst of Christians, but impossible outside that fold, because antagonists will always try to take advantage of you, while some of them think you lack the nitty-gritty to operate in a complex and modern society. Others write you off as being simply naïve. Sadly, many beleivers have mournful stories about how they have been short -changed in business, and others talk about having been defrauded because they played by the rules of honesty and Christian ethics. These kinds of experiences should never cause us to abandon our way of living. Indeed, we can not be practicing Christian virtues and not expect pain and persecution in a broken world where the enemy holds sway in many things. Our Lord told us in the book of Matthew 10:16, Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. When we are born again of the spirit, we are given a different mindset see 1 Corinthians 2:16, For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. It is this mind of christ that leads us in our dealings in love and compassion to those who are not in the fold, but if we deal with them in deceit, in hatred, and acrimony like they do us, then we are not shinning the ‘light’ like Jesus told us. We must be careful because these we so want saved will resist and call us different names, referencing popular people who they say failed to live up to what they preached. Many will be outright hostile to us. Our arguments and diatribes can never convert them, but our stable and caring character, helpfulness when we can, as neighbours and coworkers, will make them willing to hear our message of salvation. It is possible that we engage in arguments about why Christ is Lord? That does not mean we have carried out good apologetics concerning our faith, nor does it mean they are converted. Therefore, let us focus on winning souls with the message of God’s love in Christ and the reason Christ had to go to the cross, firstly by acceptable behaviour and compassion. The apostle Paul has this to say in 2 Timothy 2:23, But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strife. It is also important to know that many of us fail to be ‘good fishers of men’, as these men will rather look at our character and the way we conduct ourselves in matters, before giving attention to our gospel. Our character is emphasized by Jesus in the above passages , we must be guided. With everyday issues, many of us miss it without thinking that it could have a negative effect on our preaching. Like dropping your trash in the wrong place, your neighbour notices it and frowns at it. [a little leaven] next time he notices your preaching he makes reference to it! Your task running smoothly because the supervisor is there, but you are the first to stop immediately he turns his back; it is called eye service! [a little leaven] You left the toilet in a bad state nobody sees you, but the next coworker may suspect you! you are in the lift with your niebour with her two kids; one inadvertently, spilled his drink on your shoes mother apologise, but you are having none of that till you let the kid have a bit of your scolding.[tommorow you invite them to the childrens rally in your church? you bet they will not honour it. A little leaven leavens the whole lump means a little bad character could spoil all the good you think you have done. See John 15:8, Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Christianity produces fruits in Ourlives and people do not fail to see these fruits, and these traits the world sees in us and desires, irrespective of their religious affiliations. See Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Perhaps it will comfort to know that the Bible knows the battle you will face out there to live your belief and encourages you and I with this: 2 Timothy 3:12, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. We are not alone, praise God!

see you in church!