One rotten potato will stink up the whole bag of potatoes; more than the whole bag the stench escapes the bag and when you get close you can smell it!   Phew!!

And if you leave that rotten potato in close contact with the other potatoes they will all go bad too.
Y’all know that right?

Now think people.

So the bag is a group, a congregation if you please.
The potatoes are  – you guessed it, People.

And if that rottenness is not removed — well, you know what happens.
If, however, you catch the spoilage early enough you can do ‘surgery’, cut off the bad part, and the remainder of the potato can still be used. It will still be nourishment to those who need it.

The one above, I did not catch it soon enough — no sparing that one, and all the others around it had to have a thorough washing before they were worthy to feed.

Got the picture?
It’s not a perfect picture but useful, I think.
Is Scripture coming to mind?

Yeah, mine too!

Like: 1 Corinthians 5.  Galatians 5.

Love, Kathie