Day 19 - Sweet Aroma to God

Ephesians 5:2 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.

Paul reminds us that if we follow the example Jesus set before us that two things will happen in our lives.  

One: we will live a life of love.  Our lives need to overflow with the love of Christ and it will impact every area of our lives.  God's love will be displayed in our family, friends, jobs, school, and every other area of our lives.  The clearest way to know that you are following Christ is to ask people around you if your life is characterized by love.  What is your reputation at work or school?  A complainer? A manipulator?  A nice person? Friendly? Don't mess with them?  Your family knows you better than most other people, so how do they characterize your life?  We must allow the love of God to so fill us that we are first and foremost known as people who love.  

Two: Jesus life and sacrifice became an pleasing aroma to God.  So if we follow Jesus our lives will be a pleasing aroma to God.  When we are willing to sacrifice for the Kingdom of God with our worship; we are a pleasing aroma to God.  When we are willing to sacrifice for friends, family, or strangers; then we are a pleasing aroma to God.  I am amazed at the Bible passages that communicate that we as the created beings have the ability to please God!  I don't completely understand it, but by faith I believe and it motivates me to sacrifice for the cause of Christ.