Faith

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Little
An autumn seed from a sycamore tree fell into a crack between the concrete path and the house wall. In the spring it germinated and became a small seedling.
Sycamore trees are one of the strongest and hardiest trees in Britain, and they can grow very fast. That seedling could damage the house wall within 10 years.

Every age and culture experiences the power of small things left unchecked.
“Give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.”
“Nip it in the bud.”

So often we seem incapable of using such wisdom.
Governments around the world fail to recognise the seedlings of trouble in their finances, judicial systems, military operations and so on.
There is always potential trouble from unchecked seedlings. Rebuilding that house would be a costly business.

What about the church?
Is the true church endangered today by small seedlings?
The Bible warns us of such dangers as insidious as the little sycamore tree.
“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” Galatians 5:9 NIV
“Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” 1 Corinthians 5:6 NKJV
Jesus repeatedly warned his disciples, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.”

Where are the watchmen in the UK church today who discern those seedlings of error and corruption among us?
Where are the descendants of those old God-fearing preachers who courageously exposed the enemy’s carefully-planted seedlings of destruction?
Where are the imitators of the apostle Paul who saw the Gospel-denying practices that had infiltrated the church in Galatia?

Thank God, there are some such ministers of truth, but they are pretty scarce.
Thank God for every local church or assembly that withstands the insistent pressures of 21st century popular evangelicalism.
Thank God he does have people whose ministries uncover some of the sinister seedlings taking root amongst Christ’s blood-bought flock.

Oh Lord, raise up men who are willing to be fools for Christ’s sake!
Raise up men who care nothing for the mere admiration of their fellow Christians.
Yes, Lord, raise up men who are concerned with Your glory above anything else.
Raise up men who are willing to be despised, criticised, verbally torn to pieces, condemned as judgemental for your sake and your honour.
Raise up men who want nothing other than a part in restoring your church which must be holy as You are holy.
Today, plenty of seedlings threaten the holy walls of God’s spiritual Zion.

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