Glory Not, Rather Mourn

When one reads the book of First Corinthians he will soon see that things were in a sad state of confusion, and a sinful disposition had captured their thinking and way of life. It is hard to see how God’s people could go so far wrong. Paul was inspired to write to them and place this statement before them: “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”  (1 Cor.5:6). The members of the church at Corinth were glorying in a situation which they should have been ashamed. He stated that they were “Puffed up, and have not rather mourned.” (1 Cor.5:2). We are not slow to state, that when people glory in something of which they should be ashamed, they are as unlike Christ as night is unlike day.  Evil and wickedness in the sight  of God is  any violation of His commandments.  We have not  a  few, in each congregation of the Lord’s church, that willfully violate His holy commandments to assemble for worship at  the times  the congregation  is called together. They seem to think that Sunday morning worship time is enough to satisfy all needs for their spiritual strength. Then, there are others who come not at all  to  worship, and  become “puffed up”  if  approached about the matter. It still is a fact that those who glory in their shame are the enemies of the cross of  Christ. (Phil.3:18-19).  Sin or evil in a congregation is like leaven, it only takes a little to spread it’s evil throughout the entire church.  Glory not, rather mourn!

            Recognizing that such is the case, and seeing the truth taught on this matter of how a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, we therefore, must do all we can to purge out the leaven found among us. The congregation which allows a little leaven of self centered  pride to  exist  within, may  expect a plant of evil to spring up and to grow exceedingly. Leaven spreads and is very contagious, and one person who gives over to such evil may exert an influence in a congregation either in doctrine or manner of life that may destroy the peace and harmony of everyone else. A little evil if allowed or nursed in our hearts will spread until the whole heart becomes corrupt. We must guard well our lives, and the elders are to guard well the congregation lest at any time the leaven of evil influence enter in and make void  a  pure heart. The purity of both the individual and the congregation depends on our love for the Lord, and our obedience to His blessed will.  Brethren, in wrong glory not, rather mourn and repent!  

. . . .  Fred  House