Releasing the Fragrance (Part 3)

Releasing the Fragrance (Part 3)

I always hate it when people tell me to live Christ... but fail to give me action steps. I am a very hands on kind of person. Philosophy and teaching is great, but help me to make application. That is what I love so much about scripture... it not just tells me about God and his plan, but it is a HOW TO... book about living out the teachings.

So, let's follow-up our discussion about being the aroma of Christ by seeing what scripture says about how to release the fragrance in our world.

We need to HONOR and WORSHIP Him. Remember from the first devotional that in the OT fragrance was a way to worship him. Do people see you living worship? Do you verbally praise Him and give Him the credit for what happens in your lives? This means for the good times as well as the tough times.

We must live in LOVE and OBEDIENCE to Him. SOS 4:10 says that "Love is more pleasing than the sacrifice of incense" Do we walk in Love? (I John 4)

God tells us to find out what pleases Him and DO IT. (Eph. 5:10, James 4:17 and Romans 12:2). We must always do our faith and not just say our faith.

We need to live a life of THANKFULNESS. Israel offered animal sacrifices, Romans offered incense in thanks to their gods. Malachi 1:11 tells us to have a pure attitude of thankfulness for what He has done in our lives. Often we say we are thankful, but we don't always really mean it, or we are always wanting more and not thankful for what we have.

God calls us to FORGIVE. Ephesians 4:32 - tells us to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you. You want to blow someone away, forgive them - before they ask for forgiveness. You want to live a life not riddled with bitterness - forgive and let go. What a testimony when others see that in our lives.

When we give our WHOLE LIFE to Christ we are very fragrant. Let God use you... let Him take the gifts He has given you and make His glory known (Romans 12). God doesn't want you to put on His perfume only occasionally He wants you to display His aroma at all times.

One of the greatest demonstrations to others that we have something unique and special is when we WALK in JOY. See, God has anointed you with the oil of gladness (Psalms 45:7-8), His perfume "rejoices the Heart" (Proverbs 27:9) and Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 that this joy is to be demonstrated at all times.

I could go on and on, but those are challenges enough for me, yet I must add one more final thought because without this people will not come to know our CHRIST. We need to SPEAK THE WORD of God. In 2 Cor. 2:17, the fragrance is released as Paul speaks, God's word has the power to reveal Christ. Let us not be afraid to speak of Him. It's easier to talk about many things in life - often we find talking about Him as the most difficult. Many times it is because we are afraid of what people will think. Romans 1:16 reminds us not to be ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation. People come to us for our opinion on things - next time don't give your opinion... say well let's see what God says. It's not about my words - it's about the power of the word of God.

Try it... Every day when you are getting ready for the day, put on the fragrance of God and wear him into the world. You will make a difference!

LDJ