What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Leaven as a Parable for the Kingdom of God"
Answer
The parable of leaven describes the work of God's grace and truth in a person, which transforms character and prepares for the Kingdom of God. This process often occurs in secret, yet works continuously until the whole being is sanctified and the conscience awakened. While leaven primarily represents the gospel and its spreading power, Christ also warns that false principles such as hypocrisy can have an equally penetrating but negative effect on character.
The Transforming Power of Truth
»The leaven of truth works in secret, quietly and steadily, to transform the soul. Natural inclinations are softened and subdued. New thoughts, new feelings, new motives are planted. A new standard of character is established — the life of Christ. The spirit is changed; abilities are prompted into actions along new paths. Man is not equipped with new abilities, but the abilities he has are sanctified. The conscience is awakened.«
The Parable of Leaven as an Image for the Gospel
»2. The Parable of Leaven. : “Another parable He said to them: The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three bushels of flour until it was completely leavened.” This parable, like the previous one, was understood to predict the ultimate and universal triumph of Christianity in this world. The leaven is the gospel, the three bushels of flour are the world of humanity; the process of leavening is the increase of means of grace and the conversion of sinners through these means, until the whole world is converted.«
Preparation for the Kingdom of God
»The parable of the “mustard seed” and of the “leaven” represents God’s grace in a person, which brings about the necessary preparation to make them subjects of the kingdom; thus, regarding the outcome it is called the “Kingdom of Heaven.” We would say the same.«
Warning about the Leaven of Hypocrisy
»The leaven added to the flour works imperceptibly and changes the whole mass according to its own nature. Thus, if hypocrisy is allowed to exist in the heart, it permeates character and life. A striking example of the Pharisees' hypocrisy was already rebuked by Christ when He condemned the practice of the “korban,” through which a neglect of childlike duty was hidden under the pretense of generosity toward the temple. The scribes and Pharisees infused deceitful principles. They concealed the true tendency of their teachings and used every opportunity to slyly feed them to the listeners. These false principles, once accepted, acted like leaven in the flour, permeating and transforming character. It was this deceptive teaching that made it so difficult for the people to receive Christ's words.«
Effect of Truth in Life
»Only those who live for Christ and honor His name, who are faithful to their Lord by seeking to save what is lost, truly live for Him. Genuine piety will surely reveal the deep longing and earnest work of the crucified Savior to save those for whom He died. When our hearts are softened and subdued by Christ's grace and glow with an awareness of God's goodness and love, there will be a natural outflow of love, compassion, and tenderness toward others. The truth exemplified in life will exert its power, like hidden leaven, upon all with whom it comes into contact.«
- Leaven of truth character transformation
- Parable of leaven gospel
- Leaven of the Pharisees warning
Original Sources (English)
