LEAVEN IN THE LUMP

When can we call things perfect? How do we know it’s there? How do we analyse it? How can we all prepare, To reach the one position that cannot be made better? What goes on the certificate? What symbol or what letter, To state that it is perfect? Perhaps the letter “G”?. For only God is good enough for what we need to see. Our maths may be exemplary, Our measurements supreme. But just how many decimals define what it should mean? An excellent example is the Greek letter “pi”. (π) In circle calculation we are compelled to try And give to it a value that’s meaningful to those, Who have to use a number. But no one really knows, What is its proper value. In fact it’s just a guess. It’s near enough for what we need but it’s perfection-less! Now God is quite specific. His bread must not have yeast. It only takes a little bit to spoil His Holy Feast. He speaks of it as leaven. It makes the bread dough rise. And that is not acceptable in God the Father’s eyes. He has a good comparison with leaven and with sin. It only takes a little bit to spoil the shape we’re in. For sin “puffs up” the sinner. Its arrogance and pride. It spoils the Christian’s witness and ruins him inside. He tells us to be perfect. To Him it means sin free. And He has made it very clear, that’s how we have to be. This makes us all feel threatened, for who can live that way? The only one Who did it, was Jesus in His day. But we are human beings with a penchant for sin. The truth is that we like it, and we can never win, A battle with the devil. We can’t beat him alone. And so He sent His Spirit; and doing what He’s shown, Will overcome the devil. That was the Lord’s intent. He said He’ll help us do it; and that is what He meant. This means we can be perfect. The leaven is erased. He’s taken all our sin away and so we are amazed. Perfection is quite possible when He is in control. He’s given us the only way by which we are made whole. Of course it’s done by Jesus. The credit isn’t mine! The only way it can be done is through the Christ Divine. Jim Strickland – written Saturday, 03 September 2011