Monday, March 12, 2012

A Pleasing Aroma

Something that stood out to me while reading my Bible the other day:

"And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders 
fell down before the Lamb.  Each one had a harp, 
and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people." 
- Revelation 5:8

"Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar.  And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God's people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.  The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God's holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out."
- Revelation 8:3-4

OUR PRAYERS used as incense.  As an offering.  As a pleasing sacrifice.

Let's take a closer look.  Webster defines incense as "material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned" or "the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned; broadly : a pleasing scent."  Synonyms include:  aroma, attar, bouquet, fragrancy, fragrance, perfume, redolence, scent, and spice.  Antonyms are fetor, malodor, reek, stench, and stink.  So incense is supposed to smell good.

And what does Strong's say?  The word incense here is translated from the Greek word thumiama, which means "an aromatic substance burnt, incense."  So it is a strong, good smell.  And this strong, good smell is found perfuming the area around God's throne.  And the source of the smell?  Our prayers.  How awesome is that?!

But it's not just prayers - it's our LIVES.  Take a look:

"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God."
- 2 Corinthians 2:15

The word fragrance here is the Greek word euodia, which, like thumiama, is also defined as a good smell or incense.  But it's also specified as "a sweet odor, spoken of the smell of sacrifices and obligations, agreeably to the ancient notion that God smells and is pleased with the odor of sacrifices" and, as a metaphor, "a thing well pleasing to God" (Strong's).

The Old Testament is full of examples of this "ancient notion" that God takes pleasure in the smell of sacrifice.  Just a few examples include Leviticus 1:9, 2:2, and 3:5 where the sacrifice burned on the altar is described: "It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord."  This word aroma is the Hebrew word reyach which is used throughout the Old Testament, defined by Strong's as an "odour of soothing (technical term for sacrifice to God)."

Was it that God thought burning grain or animals literally smelled good?  Not really.  It was the act of obedience and reverence for God.  It was the heart attitude of the one offering the sacrifice.  David speaks of this in one of his psalms:


"You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God...
you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit..."
- Psalm 51:16-17, 19

Now we who live in the New Testament times, with the sacrifice of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, covering us, paying the death penalty for our sins,  do not need to offer a burnt offering, even in the "right spirit."  We are instead told:


"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God 
because of all he has done for you.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - 
the kind he will find acceptable.  This is truly the way to worship him."
- Romans 12:1

 "And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.  What's more, you are his holy priests.  Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God."
- 1 Peter 2:5

How do we do this?  How do we offer ourselves as living sacrifices?  What are the spiritual sacrifices that please God?  How do we become euodia, a Christ-like fragrance, the kind of sacrifice that God finds acceptable and pleasing?  The same word euodia is used in two other places in the New Testament:

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.  
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 5:1-2

"At the moment I have all I need - and more!  I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus.  They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God."
- Philippians 4:18

Following the example of Christ in love and humility.  Giving generously.  And how else?

"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, 
proclaiming our allegiance to his name.  
And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need.  
These are the sacrifices that please God."
- Hebrews 13:15-16

"So you should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.  Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.  So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.  Sin is no longer your master... Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?  You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living."
- Romans 6:11-16

Praising no matter what, being faithful in our devotion to God, doing good, sharing, living in the new life Christ gave us - a life free from sin, no longer bound - "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:22) - accepting God's gift of grace and striving to live clean, honorable lives out of thankfulness and a desire to please him:

"So think clearly and exercise self-control.  Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.  So you must live as God's obedient children.  Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.  You didn't know any better then.  But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am holy.'"
- 1 Peter 1:13-16

By imitating God, not the world (Romans 12:2).  By producing sweet-smelling fruit:

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: 
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  
There is no law against these things!  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there."
- Galatians 5:22-24

Such a life doesn't just please God:

"But thank God!... Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.  Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God..."
- 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

It adds to the Kingdom.

So how do you smell today?  Are you a strong, sweet, pleasing aroma or a retched, selfish stink?  If you're a stink, take the time to talk to God and give yourself over to him and allow Christ's sacrifice to cover you and make you new.  If you've accepted Christ, but you're not living for his glory, still hanging on to your old ways, let go.  Those old ways aren't worth it.  If you truly believe that Jesus died to give you eternal life, live the life of praise and sacrifice, the fruit producing life, that freshens the air of Heaven and Earth because of your thankfulness.  Because you know God deserves all honor and praise.  Replace that old air freshener and turn up its strength!  It seems like a lot, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming.  It's one decision at a time.  Then God will delight in you and seeds of faith will be planted among the lost.

"For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
- Zephaniah 3:17

Let's live to bring a smile to God's face.  Let's spread Christ's life-giving aroma.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

All These Other Things

Seek God, not the answers.

Do you ever find yourself so adamant about figuring out something specific that you get hung up on it to the point that you're focusing on that problem or situation or answer more than you're focusing on God himself?  Even though you're talking to him about it, it's all about that thing you want to know instead of being about him.  The whole point of your prayer or quiet time is about seeking an answer rather than drawing near to God.  It's all about 'tell me, tell me, tell me, why aren't you telling me, I can't have peace without knowing this right now, tell me and then I'll rest in you' rather than 'God I trust you, you're awesome, help me draw closer to you because in you is all wisdom and knowledge and I know you'll lead me as long as I draw near to you, I can have peace because I know you're in control.'

Focusing on what we don't know leads to anxiousness, worry, stress, wasted time and energy, jealously of those who seem to have it all figured out, and bitterness with God for not doing things in the way we selfishly think he should.  But God calls things such as these "earthly, unspiritual, and demonic" (James 3:15).  Whether you believe in God or not, I believe everyone would agree that these things are undesirable.  With these things in your heart, there is no way you can live joyously.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, 
and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." 
- Matthew 6:33

Seek God, not just the answers.  Yes, the text before this verse is speaking of our basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing, but it has a deeper meaning than that as well.  It's about priorities.  It's about trust.  It's about living in God's presence and valuing that above all else.  It's about how even seeking 'good' things can become a stumbling block if not done properly.  Seeking God about your career path, about the next step in life, about who you should marry, about why he has you in a certain place, about why you're having a trial, or other such things is not bad, but it can become a hindrance to your relationship with God if receiving that answer is all that you're seeking.  If you're placing your condition for joy on receiving that knowledge rather than taking joy in God himself, then you're not walking in the presence of God and you're going to drive yourself nuts.

"You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever."
- Psalm 16:11

"All who seek the LORD will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy."
- Psalm 22:26

True joy is in the presence of God.  Fullness of joy is in him.  Does this mean we'll never feel sad?  No!  Joy is more than an emotion.  Happiness is an emotion; it's temporal and fleeting.  Fullness of joy, God's joy, is deeper than that.  It is what reigns in your heart and gives you peace even when things seem like they are crashing down around you.  It becomes part of who you are.  It defines who you are.  It is ever present.  It is the Holy Spirit living within you.  It is the Comforter at work saying, 'You're Mine'.  It is the presence of God.  It isn't knowledge or understanding about everthing.  It's knowing one thing:

"See, God has come to save me.
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The LORD GOD is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!"
- Isaiah 12:2-3

God has come to save us.  Christ made a way.  He bridged the gap.  He gave us all access to the Holy of Holies - the presence of God.  And he came at "just the right time" (Romans 5:6).  If he came at just the right time to save us, why then should he slack on other things?  Why would he not take care of the smaller things in life at just the right time?  He saved our souls at just the right time.  Everything else should be a piece of cake!

Let's look a little more at the context of Matthew 6:33:

"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And why worry about your clothing?  Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.  They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.  
Why do you have so little faith?  So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat?  What will we drink?  What will we wear?'  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today's trouble is enough for today."
- Matthew 6:27-34

 Jesus is saying here that as a believer there is no reason we should worry.  And what is worry other than a lack of trust in God?  Since God says he'll take care of our needs and he does things at just the right time, why then should we worry?  Why then should we get caught up on needing to know answers?  He will tell us at just the right time if we need to know.  Sometimes it just isn't time yet.  And sometimes we just don't need to know.  Like Paul said:

"I pray that God, the source of hope,
will fill you completely with joy and peace
because you trust in him.
Then you will overflow with confident hope 
through the power of the Holy Spirit."
- Romans 15:13

Because you trust in him.  Because you seek him above all else.  Joy and peace are yours.  Confident hope is yours.

"The LORD directs our steps,
so why try to understand everything along the way?"
- Proverbs 20:24

 The only thing we need to understand is that God is God.  This doesn't mean don't ask questions.  We are told to ask him for wisdom and understanding (James 1:5).  It just means trust the Lord to take care of it by giving it to him instead of dwelling on uncertainties.  Dwell on the certainty of God.  Dwell in his presence.  Feed off of his joy.  Seek God above all else.  Seek the Kingdom.  And all these things shall be added unto you.  At just the right time.