01/09/2020
Are we advocates for God and Jesus Christ by reflecting God’s glory, or do our words and actions turn people away from a waiting faith by presenting it in an unfavorable manner? Perhaps we cover the Lord’s light altogether in an attempt to horde it for ourselves? God and the Gospel of Jesus are meant to be like a sweet aroma to the hungry, and an enticing light that beckons every ship in peril to enter God’s safe harbor. How do we bake our bread, how do we man the lighthouse?
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 ESV
When we walk down the street and come upon a bakery our senses receive a sweet treat as the smell of fresh bread and pastry wafts into the street, and it entices us to come in and buy something. However, if we open the door to enter only to smell the sour scent of old yeast fermenting there, then it causes us to wince, our eyes water, and we suddenly lose the desire for the wares being sold there.
“who say, "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you." These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all the day.”
Isaiah 65:5 ESV
You see by this scripture that God envisions our faith is just this way. We are a spiritual bakery, and people will either come to Jesus, or turn away From Him, based on what they find in us... Do people smell the sweet incense of Jesus from afar of, and want to acquire faith, only to come closer, and smell the bitterness of our discord, false holiness, and sin in us... His disciples? Are we smoke in God’s nostrils, and how will He deal with us?
“Behold, it is written before me: "I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will indeed repay into their lap both your iniquities and your fathers' iniquities together, says the Lord; because they made offerings on the mountains and insulted me on the hills, I will measure into their lap payment for their former deeds."”
Isaiah 65:6-7 ESV
It is so easy for us to become double faced in our faith. When we are on the mountain, our church, we give offerings of praise to the Lord, but when we return to the rolling hills of human life we live as if what occurred on the mountain was for ourselves alone, we go back to a bitter existence of sour yeast and sin, or we lord our faith distastefully over those who wish to take refuge in God, and become righteous in Jesus.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.”
Psalms 34:8, 14-15 ESV
In this way, the way of false faith, and bitter incense, we work at odds to the will of God. I read a good description of such behavior in my devotional today that says it in this way...
“Our lives are the scandal of religion, and a pollution and blot to the name of God. So with respect to ourselves, you see what need we have to go to God, that He will give us grace that we may please Him and glorify His name.” - Thomas Manson
So does our light shine from the hills as well as from the mountain? Is the sweet smell of baked goods encountered by the passerby on the street the same one experienced within the doors of our spiritual bakery? When the Lord calls souls to us what will they find there, will it be goodness, sweetness, and something they will want for themselves, or darkness, and an off putting odor that causes them to turn away?
“Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.”
Acts 8:5-8 ESV
Phillip not only spoke of Jesus, but he acted on the will and word of God. Are we like Phillip who said and did those things that led souls to the Lord? Are we busy in the Father’s work and by such are we bringing much joy to the city where we live? Let’s take some time today and look closely at our true selves. Let’s determine if we are doing the things we preach, and smelling just as sweet and inviting in our deeds as our words say we should. Let’s search ourselves... are we winning souls to Christ, or are we off putting?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus who teaches us to live a righteous life, and how to bring souls to you. Thank you Holy Father for transforming not only our minds, but our personalities so that we become attractive to those who wish to know you. Help us Father to see ourselves as others see us, but most of all, help us to see what you see in us. Teach us to reflect Jesus in our actions and dispositions... not just in the words we say. Make us lights into the world because true light is not merely a word on a page, but shines brightly without ceasing. Make us to shine into the lives of all who seek you as a brilliant example that they can see. Let our beacon of faith shine forth like the light of a lighthouse that travels endlessly across the churning sea without diminishing, shining in every direction... calling out, warning, repelling all from the rocks of sin and the treacherous currents there, bringing every wayward vessel into your safe harbor. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who by your will guides our efforts. Praised be your name for making the odorous person of sin we once were into a sweet smelling loaf of life giving bread. Great are you who calls the sinner to Himself, and reveals your glory to him through your saints who await him there. All glory is yours Gracious Father for your mercy and grace are ever offered through Jesus to those who would have it. We worship you in humble adoration Father, and seek to serve you forevermore... make us into your reflection, and your perfect image.
Rich Forbes