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Of Weeds and Viruses


          Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
                " ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
          “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
           “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ” (Matthew 13:24-30)
 
      It happens every year. I till the garden, plant my crops and start thinking about the tomatoes and other healthy food I'm going to eat. I go out to water them and there they are, not just my vegetables but weeds! Oh, I know there are things you can do, but most of them are expensive. They either require lots of money or lots of time and not only don't have either, but they aren't always effective.
          Churches run into the same problem. They preach the Word and the next thing you know, there are human weeds in their garden. Removing them can be expensive, difficult, and only effective for a short time. I don't really want to focus all that much money and time on the weeds. Instead, I get rid of the ones that are easy to eliminate, and the rest, I allow to grow until they become easy to eliminate without harming my veges. While they are in my garden, the prevent erosion.
          Why are we surprised when weeds show up in our gardens? Why is it a surprise and a disappointment when human weeds show up in our churches? I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't do something about them when we can. We should. I'm just saying that Jesus warned us, and nature teaches us about them.
          Sometimes, the answer isn't to throw them out and burn them because that might uproot someone that isn't a weed. Instead, it is critical that both plant and weed be fed the same wholesome food. Sometimes, what looks like a weed is really a useful plant if it's given proper care.
          Let me suggest another analogy. Most of us like to be healthy. We don't like to catch a virus, and take measures to avoid doing so. We wash our hands, avoid people who are sick, etc. A virus invades the body in order to use the body's cellular mechanism in order to reproduce. In response to the virus, the body produces cells that attack the viruses. That's how we become immune to the virus. It is only as we encounter these viral ideas that we can make use of the doctrines and Scriptures that protect us from those viral ideas. If we had a pure, perfect community, the church would be wiped out by what to us is a mild virus. Their controlled presence is a benefit to the church.
 

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