MY DEAR FRIEND, A more complete study of Matt. 13 will enable you to see that the " slight mistake" is yours, not mine. No doubt, most of us have had the same idea with regard to "leaven" as that to which you have given expression. It arises from not understanding the true meaning of the term, "kingdom of heaven." When this is seized, all difficulty vanishes.
To what then does the term apply? To the condition of things during the absence of the King. Is this a condition of unmixed good? Alas! far from it. "An enemy" has been at work. He has introduced "leaven" into the "meal." He has sowed "tares" among the "wheat." Are "tares" good? Nay; they are false professors. Is "leaven" good? Nay; it is evil doctrine, evil principles, evil influence. The "meal" is good; the "wheat" is good; the "pearl" is good; the "treasure" is good; some of the "fish" are good. But there are bad and good in the kingdom-in the professing church-in Christendom. Christianity is like the beautiful snow as it descends in its purity from the clouds. Christendom is the odious and unsightly slush produced by the mixture of earth's pollutions with the pure material.
But we must not confound the church or assembly of God with the kingdom of heaven; or the body of Christ with Christendom. The most disastrous results flow from this confusion. It leads to the denial of all godly discipline in the assembly. We are told that the tares and the wheat are to grow together. True; but where? In the field. But is the field the church.? Nay; the Lord distinctly tells us, " The field is the world." Are we to root up the tares? Nay; angels will do that by-and-by. But are we to suffer known tares in the assembly? God forbid! " Put away from among yourselves that wicked person." (1 Cor. 5)
May I ask you to give Matt. 13 your prayerful study? Come to it with your mind free from all your preconceived ideas, and Christendom's false teachings. Most of us have had to unlearn a lot, to unship a quantity of mere rubbish, in order to take in the pure and precious truth of God.
I am, dear friend, faithfully yours, C. H. Br.