Why are believers supposed to be an unleavened people?
Believers are to be an unleavened people because their sin problem has been removed through forgiveness and salvation. Paul writes that Christ, our Passover Lamb, was sacrificed for us. Therefore, having been made a new lump, they are to put away the old leaven, which represents evil and sin.
Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 5:7 Paul refers to leaven as evil and sin, urging believers to purge out the old leaven so they may be a new lump, as they now are unleavened. Their sin problem has been removed by virtue of forgiveness and salvation. The reason believers are to be unleavened is that Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us. Les connects this to Exodus, where God brought about Israel's redemption by exercising His power; Israel could not cross the Red Sea by a pontoon bridge or requisitioned ships but had to wait on the power of God. For us, the power of salvation is epitomized, brought to its crescendo, at the resurrection of Christ, which makes salvation possible; otherwise, Scripture says, we are yet dead in our sins.
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
More Questions
What does the old leaven represent in 1 Corinthians 5:7?
The "old leaven" that Paul says to purge out refers to evil and to sin.
How does Paul's unleavened bread analogy apply to sin in the church today?
Paul brings the same unleavened-bread analogy into Christian teaching today, so we must look at sin both in our individual lives and in the life of the church, just as leaven was dealt with in the bread of Egypt.