"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
- 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
- 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment