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Old Scottish pastor Robert Macdonald wrote, “The Christian who is careful about great duties, and very careless about what he THINKS are small ones, is not likely to become eminent in holiness.” [From Day to Day: Helpful Words for the Christian Life, 1880; Banner of Truth reprint, 2023, p. 145]

As he wrote, Macdonald had in mind the biblical story of Naaman, the mighty commander of the army of the king of Syria, who had leprosy (2 Kings 5). Naaman recoiled from the humbling instruction to wash in the little Jordan River, and nearly missing the resulting cure of his condition. “The way of salvation seems to them foolishly simple and offensively free” writes Macdonald, so many turn away “in the pride of their heart, and thereby … miss the gift of gifts — eternal life.”

This dangerous disdain for perceived “small” things can also be found after conversion, in the course of the Christian life. Consider the warning of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount about treating portions of God’s Word as minor or less consequential : “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19, ESV)

The imminent contemporary and friend of Macdonald, Dr Andrew Bonar said,

”A holy life is made up of a number of small things: little words, not eloquent speeches or sermons; little deeds, not miracles or battles; not one great heroic act or mighty martyrdom, make up the true Christian life. The little constant sunbeams, not the lightning-the waters of Siloah, that go softly in their meek mission of refreshment, and not the waters of the rivers, great and many, rushing down in torrent noise and force—are the true symbols of a holy life.”

Indeed, so much hinges on the Christian being faithful with the little things — and with all that the Lord asks of us. Remember the Parable of the Talents? We read in Matthew 25:21, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

Friend, do not carelessly think of any command of God as too little for your robust obedience and delight.

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