Do I Smell Like Jesus or Gym Socks?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘[…] Paul said, in essence, “I am in the procession of a conqueror, and it doesn’t matter what the difficulties are, for I am always led in triumph.” Is this idea being worked out practically in us? Paul’s secret joy was that God took him as a blatant rebel against Jesus Christ, and made him a captive— and that became his purpose. It was Paul’s joy to be a captive of the Lord, and he had no other interest in heaven or on earth. It is a shameful thing for a Christian to talk about getting the victory. We should belong so completely to the Victor that it is always His victory, and “we are more than conquerors through Him . . .” (Romans 8:37).  “We are to God the fragrance of Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 2:15). We are encompassed with the sweet aroma of Jesus, and wherever we go we are a wonderful refreshment to God.’ CHAMBERS

 

Do you see yourself as a captive to Jesus?  That would mean that you go where you are led.  You do what you are told.  You have no will of your own, only the will of the Master.  How does your spirit respond to that?  Is there hesitation?  It is one thing to sing “I am crucified with Christ” and another thing to live like it.  Be careful about having a form of righteousness.  One defined by you.  You know what it is to love, because God showed you in Jesus.  You know what it is to obey, because God showed you in Jesus.  You know what it is to trust, because God showed you … well you get the idea.

 

Haiti is a hot climate .. really hot … most people have a fragrance .. however I would not call it sweet … but every now and then … someone will pass by me and there is a fragrance in the air .. a sweet fragrance .. and just for a moment … my spirit is lifted … That is how it should be with us when we are with others.  When we are with people, no matter what they are like, there should be a sweet fragrance in the air because of the presence of Jesus in us … but unfortunately most of the time we smell like a pair of old, sweaty gym socks.

 

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV) “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

 

Doesn't leave much room for gym socks, does it?

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)