“So let’s live our part in the Feast, not as raised bread swollen with the yeast of evil, but as flat bread – simple, genuine, unpretentious.” (1 Cor. 5:8 The Message)

I find this verse funny, but it’s actually a very good analogy. What kind of bread are you? Are you raised bread, puffed up with yeast, or are you flat bread?

In this verse, “yeast” represents sin. Paul is saying, sin is no small thing. It isn’t something which only affects you. Yeast or “sin” affects the whole batch of dough. It has repercussions on you and the people around you.

We need to see sin as God sees it and we must do all we can to rid it from our lives. In this chapter, Paul is addressing sexual sin, but in God’s eyes, all sins are equal. Pride, anger, selfishness, and gossip can cause the same kind of fallout if left unchecked.

I believe most sin in our lives is a result of thinking too highly of our selves and not enough of others. That’s pride. Sin happens when we are puffed up with pride and thinking only about “me.” If we love others, we will not want to hurt them, but rather our desire will be to serve them.

Of course, because of our flesh, this is not always reality. It’s so much easier to put “me” first. Jesus was our example. He did not come to be served, but rather to serve and give His life for us. He, who deserved to be served, more that any other being, did this for us. He told us to do the same. This is not easy. The only way this can be accomplished is with the Spirit’s help.

But, be encouraged, because God is taking you from “glory to glory.” “He who began a good work in you, will bring it to completion.” I share this verse a lot because I love it. It’s so true. God will not let you continue to flounder in your sin. He will bring conviction and He will open doors for you to find the freedom you desire.

Let’s get back to the bread! God wants you to be like “flat bread.” LOL!! That’s the opposite of “the pride” that so easily besets us. We are called to live simple, genuine and unpretentious lives. In other words, we are called to walk in love, humility, sincerity and simplicity.

As I keep saying, “The gospel is simple.” It’s all about love. When we are living lives in simple humility, we will be ones who put others first, and who ooze with the love of God. When we see what God has rescued us from, it’s easier to walk in love and humility with God and others.

So let’s be “Flat bread!”