The Gospel Effect

The Gospel message about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is just as important now as it was two-thousand years ago.  During this time of uncertainty in the world, I have learned a couple of things.  First, people need each other.  No matter how technologically advanced we get, we still have a deep desire to be in relation with others.  I have also noticed that trials and difficult times really do build character, and can also be redeemed by God for our spiritual growth.  Keeping both of these things in mind, the idea of the 'Gospel Effect' (the notion of the work that Jesus does in our hearts and minds) has become paramount.  

I want to talk about a particular story relating to transformed hearts.  It is often known as the Parable of the Leaven.  This teaching from Jesus occurs both in the book of Matthew and the book of Luke.  It is very short, but as you can probably guess, also very profound.  Matthew 13:33 says, "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough."  From this little story, I believe we can take away two more points in particular.  First, much like leaven (or yeast), the kingdom of heaven can take some time to develop and mature.  We ought not apply today's fast paced, technology driven lifestyle to the Gospel Effect.  Not always anyhow.  When the Spirit of God begins a work in us, it often starts slowly and might be barely noticeable to the individual. 

Second, I believe we can take from this teaching, that the kingdom of heaven starts from the 'inside' and works its way outward.  Like leaven that permeates through the entire package of dough, Jesus begins working inside of a person's heart and mind.  The changes are often not obvious from other people's perspective, until the overflow of God's love begins to come out of that individual through the words they speak and the things they do.  Leaven may start small, but the end result is irrefutable.  We are sometimes impatient with God, aren't we?  Instead of waiting for the dough to rise, we might decide that a trip to the fast food restaurant is a better idea.  We drive past the window, hand our money to the employee, and off we go with a bag full of junk food.  Quick, easy, and also not very good for us.  We should wait on the leaven instead. 

By contrast, if we wait on God and allow the leaven time to work through the dough, the end result is impressive (and much better for us than fast food).  It goes without saying then, that God probably has to wait on us a good portion of the time also.  The Bible says He is infinitely patient with Israel, and with us also.  And if we stop to think about things for just a millisecond, we can see how true this is.  How many times have you and I failed to meet God's holy law?  More than a few times I would think.  If you disagree, stop reading this immediately and turn to the ten commandments in the Old Testament.  Go down the list with each one, and apply it to your own life.  Humbling, isn't it?

Little doubt that God is the very embodiment of patience and love.  I often see this truth wherever I look.  My advice is this: allow God's Holy Spirit to make little in-roads into your life.  Give this Gospel Effect time to take hold, and work in you from the inside out.  Who cares if other people around you notice this change immediately or not.  Your sanctification walk is between you and the Creator.  Revel in that intimate time together with God; Jesus died on the cross so that you could have it.  Don't waste it.  Sooner or later, those around you will notice the end result.   

 

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