SACRIFICIAL JOY
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 (NLT)
Today’s passage reminds us that Jesus died willingly for us. No one had to talk Him into it. He wasn’t coerced or forced. He was compelled by love. He sacrificed it all for you and me. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, it was for the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2b NIV). Everything He did was fueled by love for the joy of our salvation. God calls us to live a life filled with this kind of love.
Living with this kind of love can be difficult in light of some of the wounds and trauma we’ve experienced in our relationships. It’s easy to love those who are lovable, but quite another thing to love our enemies or those who’ve hurt us. But what if loving others, especially those who’ve hurt us, would move things in the right direction? What if God’s love is big enough to overcome any bitterness or unforgiveness we feel? What if love really does win?
The reality is that at one time, we, too, were enemies of God (see Romans 5:6-11). Yet that didn’t stop Him from loving us. For sacrificing His life for us. And this sacrifice is the most beautiful fragrance of all. For us, then, having a beautiful fragrance is, in essence, the transformation of our love for Christ into a meaningful expression for those in need around us.
APPLICATION:
Sometime today, stop and take a deep breath. Allow your heart and mind to settle. When you feel a sense of calm, read slowly over today’s Scripture. Let it sink into your heart. Pause and allow yourself to feel God’s delight in you.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, for the example of Christ who loved me enough to die for me. Thank You for the pleasing aroma of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Help me spread Your fragrance wherever I go. I ask You to work in me in such a way that my thoughts, my behavior and the attitude of my heart would be pleasing to You and evident to all the people I come in contact with today. For the hope of the world, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?