Wednesday, October 18, 2023
“Live a life filled
with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as
a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Ephesians 5:2, New Living Translation)
Susan needed some new shampoo as
part of my shopping list. She asked for
a particular brand-name. It is mind-boggling that a whole aisle is given over
to hair products. Over half of that is given over to various makes of shampoos.
Apparently, humankind is obsessed about their hair. There are specific shampoos
for every hair style, every hair colour, every hair condition and more. Dozens
and dozens. Just to wash one’s hair.
I had to ask a floor-clerk for
help to find the brand I was looking for. But then, I discovered that there were
almost a dozen different scents to choose from in this brand alone. Yikes! It
is a big responsibility to have to decide what one wants his wife to smell
like. Au naturel (sounds dangerous). Heavenly (seemed appropriate for a
minister’s wife). Wildflower. Cherry. Tropical.
Blush (what does blush smell like? I’m afraid to find out.) My favourite –
sweetie. In the end, I got her plain, old
regular. I like the way my wife smells now, as is, thank you very much.
The apostle Paul makes a few references
to the sweet smell of Christianity. “Because of Christ, we give off a sweet
scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an
aroma redolent with life.” (2 Corinthians 2:16, The Message Bible). Paul
also says it is a scent that not everyone enjoys. And I will admit, sadly, that
sometimes the Church stinks at doing what it should be doing - loving and
acting in and through that Love of Christ. But I digress…
I am not sure that I know what
Love smells like, anymore than I know what “blush” smells like. But Paul
suggests that it is akin to the aroma of sacrifice. Not bulls or lambs, but the
sacrifices which comes from good works, which arise through our efforts of
service and stewardship, through our works for peace and justice, through acts of
compassion and human kindness.
“Should I bring an armload of
offerings topped off with yearling calves? Would God be impressed with
thousands of rams, with buckets and barrels of olive oil? Would he be moved if
I sacrificed my firstborn child, my precious baby, to cancel my sin? But he’s
already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men
and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be
compassionate and loyal in your love. And don’t take yourself too seriously- take
God seriously.” (Micah 6: 7 -8, TMB)
Paul says much the same in 1 Corinthians
13, “If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be
burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I
say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” (v. 3, TMB)
Without Love, we just stink up
the joint.
Paul wrote about the very
practical gifts that the church in Philippi sent him while he was in prison. “The
gifts you sent with Epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling
sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God
to no end. You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his
generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.”
(Philippians 4: 18 -20, TMBN)
People around us should be able to
breathe in the sweet-smelling fragrance of Christ’s Love as we live in his
Name. Not the bitter smells of hatred, judgment, exclusion, hypocrisy, arrogance,
superiority but we should aim to give off the pleasant aroma of Love in our
words, deeds, attitudes and behaviour.
Smell you later!
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