Through the Bible - Lamentations 3-4, Hebrews 8
Good morning,
Whether we realize it or not, we all choose a path to follow in life, and that path will set a course of action which will have an impact on us and those around us.
Joshua, one of Israel's great leaders realized this and he called for his people to make a clear decision.
Joshua 24:15 (Amplified Bible) And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
There is no lack of "gods" to follow in this day and age. Which one(s) we follow in our daily walk will be evident in our life to those around us. For today's verse we'll go to Ephesians 5 where we are called as Christians to be God followers which will be evidenced by how we walk, in love.
Ephesians 5:2 (Amplified Bible) And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.
Jesus walked everywhere. I don't recall ever reading where he had to run to the market or the temple or to catch up with the disciples. He may have walked across the water as a shortcut (but that's another matter). As He walked He did so in love, stopping to help, heal and comfort. He walked in love.
The sacrifices mentioned in verse two relate to the Old Testament sacrifices. The burnt offering depicted Christ's perfection, His being the perfect sacrifice for our sins, the grain offering depicted His total devotion to God in giving His life, and the third was the peace offering, depicting His peacemaking between God and man. All of these were a "soothing aroma" or sweet fragrance to the Lord.
If we walk in love it will take self sacrifice, devotion to God, and commitment to being a peacemaker. Its a tall order. Joshua's call should echo in our hearts "choose today who you will serve". May our answer be the same as his "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Doing so will mean walking in love "esteeming and delighting in one another".
"When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word, what a glory He'll shed on our way." - Trust and Obey
Ephesians 5 (New Living Translation)
Living in the Light
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
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. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don't participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
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