Smelling Good

I am hosting Monday Manna today, where we meet to together to study a portion of God's Word. You may link to your blog with thoughts on this verse (with the Linky at the bottom of this page), or you may add a comment.

"And walk in love,

as Christ has loved us

and given Himself for us,

an offering and a sacrifice to God

for a sweet-smelling aroma."

(Ephesians 5:2, NKJV)

As a mom, I've had my share of odors in our house. It began with the diapers. No matter how cute babies are, they're not so cute when they stink. Before long those kids are sprouting up. They go through a stage where they don't like to shower or change their socks, and no matter how much you love them, they stink. Then there are the teenager stinky bedrooms - the gym bags, the sour towels, the left-over pizza, plus the hair spray and cologne. That stinks.

God wants us to smell good - "a sweet aroma."

I find it interesting to read about the Old Testament tabernacle. God orchestrated every item, every piece of clothing, and every movement of the way He wanted to be worshiped.

For years, I thought the "sweet-smelling savor" was the incense that the priests burned in the holy place with their prayers, which I'm sure had a distinct pleasant odor. But this phrase is continually associated with the burnt offerings on the brazen altar. The sacrifices on his altar displayed the repentant and contrite heart.

"It is a burnt offering to the LORD;

it is a sweet aroma,

an offering made by fire to the LORD."

(Exodus 29:18b, NKJV)

Even if a person showers with strawberry bodywash and wears the ocean breeze deodorant, even if they sing in the choir and go to every church meeting, but they have a prideful and rebellious attitude, then they stink.

God loves our praise and our devotion, but it's the prayer of a humble heart that smells good to the Lord.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present yourselves a living sacrifice,

holy and acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service."

(Romans 12:1)

Christ gave us the example of giving up His "rights" with a humble and sacrificial love. God wants a sacrifice from us, not a sacrifice of lambs and bulls, but more than that. He wants us. He wants our full surrender - "a living sacrifice" - willing to do anything, to go anywhere, to be whatever He asks.

That is a sweet-smelling aroma to God.