“Thanks be to God, who uses us to spread the aroma and knowledge of him everywhere.”
(2 Corinthians 2:14)
Peter writes to encourage new Christians experiencing persecution as they abandon their former lifestyles, to follow Jesus. Urging them to live as reflections of God’s own holiness in a pattern of Jesus’ footsteps, he reminds them of Jesus’ service to all, especially those who betrayed or forsook him.
I am always compelled by the tenderness of Jesus’ three questions to Peter after his three times fireside denial of knowing him. At another breakfast fireplace at the seashore, Jesus asks three times, “Simon, do you love me?"
Perhaps the greatest distance any of us travel is the long trek between head and heart. The love of Jesus is something we must experience and only the Holy Spirit can cause us to feel that great and tender love.
When we live from God’s goodness, we share His lovely fragrance with the world; a kind word, a prayer breathed for someone in need, genuine care-taking - and forgiveness (above all love each deeply, 1 Peter 4:8) We are diffusing God’s fragrance as we love and serve. “Simon, if you love me take care of my sheep.” (John 21:17)
The Christian life is not hard to live – it’s impossible to live! Only One can live it in us as we open the door to him. “Here I am, I stand at the door and knock.” (Revelation 3:20)
“Let me be a servant, a keeper of the door. My heart is longing to see for evermore the glory of Your presence, the dwelling of the Lord. Oh, let me be a servant a keeper of the door.” (Twila Paris)
posted by Diane Ward
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