March 10, 2015 – Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2Today’s market is flooded with fragrant aromas, deodorants and deodorizers.  We have favorite odors to surround ourselves in our homes.  We spray the air around us to take away any stench that creeps in lest we breathe its disagreeable stink.People-pleasing bouquets have abounded through the ages.  Even Esther, the Queen of Persia, spent hours in bathing and readying herself with fragrant oils  and perfumes to have audience with the King.  Do we ever consider what fragrance pleases God ?God created perfumed flowers to grace our homes and our gardens.  Then he created a reviled creature with a most disagreeable odor — the skunk. When Jesus chose to endure death on the cross. It is said that his death was a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Jesus’ death on the cross is a bouquet of incense to each of us, who will accept his gift of life.The cross, a symbol of sacrifice of love to God, is honored as a reminder of Christ’s love. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13That takes a lot of humility…and upfront forgiveness.  In today’s world, that looks for reasons to be offended, the world puts a fence around any love we have to give.Ephesians 5:1-2, wants us to be imitators of God, who loves, and be his beloved children.  We are to walk in love as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  We give ourselves up, even as Christ did to God, and simply love!  No pride, no selfish concerns, simply love as Christ has loved us.  Then we are adorned with a fragrant odor of offering and sacrifice to our Creator.Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2