Leaven

Brother, I love you

But brother you have no right

You say your sin hurts only yourself

But that is not what God's word says

Scripture is our standard

When one part suffers, the whole body suffers

Your sin hurts you so you suffer

But we all suffer because you suffer

By definition, I suffer for your sin

There is a collective strength

Our choices affect the brotherhood

I am called to bear your burdens

To weep when you weep

So when you choose to sin

You are volunteering me for undue burden

I have a right to rebuke you

Even as a service to God

It is love and life to us both

Do not turn away from me

Rather let us lean into righteousness together

Let us bless one another

Let us hold each other up

Yoked together in holiness

Then we are ready for the task

We are soldiers!

Would you have the unfit cover your back?

Rather that we are trained, fed, and rested

The righteous are bold as a Lion

Let us be David, fearless before Goliath

Not Israel at Ai

The wicked flee when no one pursues

Jonathan and squire at the stronghold

Defeating a host of Philistines

Gideon's few vanquishing innumerable foes

We are God's men

The land is promised to us

But not if we hide forbidden booty

The sin of Achin: a little leaven

Brother, help me

I yearn for milk and honey

Stephen Pursell, 9/04