“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Eph 5:1
Several of us sat around one night discussing the greatest achievements and inventions of the 20th century. Some suggested the airplane, others the automobile, still others penicillin. One elderly gentleman piped up and shouted "DEODORANT!" We all laughed but agreed he had a point. No one likes to be close to someone who stinks.
I thought of Ephesians 5:1 - Does God consider my life today a fragrant offering or does my spiritual life stink? During my daily hygiene routine I bathe and then put on deodorant to prevent an unwanted odor from creeping out of my armpits. Spiritually I must also 'wash' my sins away through confession and repentance and then apply the Holy Spirit to my desires, activities and relationships to prevent my abrasive, selfish nature to creep out through my attitudes, words and actions. By dieing to self the Holy Spirit produces unconditional love and a life God recognizes as a fragrant offering.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." Rom 12:1
Pray that God will reveal to you places where your life may 'stink' and the insight and strength to make changes so that your life may become a fragrant offering.
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