What Do You Smell Like?
This Chapter of Ephesians challenges us to come out of the shadows and to walk in the light of who we are in Christ. Enjoy your day and don’t forget to put your cologne or perfume on. Read on to see what this means…
Ephesians 5
S= Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
O= Verse two really stuck out to me as I read this passage. The image is a sacrifice made to God with the fragrance of the sacrifice rising to the nostrils of the Father. Now at first that seems really strange and I thought, burning flesh is kind of sick, but there were more than one kind of sacrifice offered to God. Leviticus Chapters 1-7 gives these examples. The phrase “sweet smelling aroma” was not referring to the smell of the sacrifice as much as to the intent and purpose of the sacrifice (see Lev. 3:16). The priest also used oil and spices as incense but this referred not just to the scent of the incense but also to the offering of it to God. As I look at this passage I am impressed with the contrast that Paul creates between those who are “imitators of God”, “dear children” of God, “children of light”, those “wise”, and those who walk in “submission”. My sacrifice to the Holy Spirit to live as Christ here on the earth is a sweet smelling offering to my heavenly Father! It seems as a contrast that to live out my own life for myself, governed by my own will and selfish desires is a life that literally stinks before God.
A= There is a difference between those who live surrendered to the will of God as directed by the Holy Spirit and those who live their life for themselves as the world does. The contrast of the list of things mentioned in this chapter all point to the pleasing of self or taking for yourself and not living as a sacrifice or living a life submitted to the will and nature of the heavenly Father as Jesus lived. As we desire to follow the will of the Father under the direction of the Holy Spirit we will walk more and more in the light and we will look like Jesus. The More We Allow Ourselves to Live In the Shadows the More Unrecognizable Jesus Will Be! My life is to be like a light that people can use to find their way out of a dark place. Do my actions and words reflect the light or am I a shadow person? I don’t realize that when I covet things that other people have that this is pulling me into the shadows and dimming the light of Jesus in me! When I am not in harmony with Jan and submitting to her leadership when I should be and when I am not submitting to the Father to care for her and to be the spiritual leader of my household, I am dimming the light of Christ and stepping back into the shadows. It is hard to walk in the light because I am always exposed! The shadows seem more comfortable. I need to remember that in the shadows my life begins to rot like death and not give off a scent that is pleasing to my God! In the light is the scent of Life, the scent of My Savior!
P= Father, in the name and power of Jesus show me my shadow lands. Holy Spirit, you are the teacher and the counselor, please reveal to me how I smell? Show me where I need to step full out into the light!
Hey Again all- It was a good reading today. It was awesome to read this chapter in the Message Bible. The scripture that stood out to me was vs 15 Be careful how you walk, not as unwise but wise making the most of your time because the days are evil. Lisa McMackin x00x0x0x0
Posted by
Anonymous |
12:03 PM
Yes, an Imitator!! That is what I want to be of Him! Hey to get the full effect of how this spoke to me and look at my new profile picture and listen to my song at www.myspace.com/prodigalmusic
Posted by
Anonymous |
7:32 PM
Hearty Prayer Warriors!
We who'WALK IN LOVE" are clearly directed to v18 'PRAY AT ALL TIMES'.The amplified elaborates:"on every occasion, in every season). We are to pray for all but here he specifies "INTERCEDING IN BEHALF OF ALL THE SAINTS (GOD'S CONSECRATED PEOPLE.)
Lord I thank you for all the brothers and sisters who are lifting my family up in prayer today. Bless them beyond their wildest dreams.Thank you for the grace to compassionately pray for my Christian family and to be alert and purposeful in obeying your inner call to intercede 24/7.
Denise Scaglione, a very thankful one.
Posted by
Anonymous |
9:45 AM