As Paul the
apostle continued to instruct the Ephesian church members, he shared
how they were to be “followers of God, as dear children”.
In chapter five and verse two of his letter, Paul told them to “walk
in love” while using Jesus “Christ” as their example
where we read:
And walk
in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself
for us an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.
The
verse begins, “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved
us,...” Paul began with the
words, “And walk”
which means “make progress and due use of opportunities; regulate
and conduct living” “in love”
or “affection, good will, love, benevolence and
unconditional brotherly love” “as
Christ” who is “the anointed
One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “also”
which means “even, indeed, and” “has loved us”
or “welcomed, entertained, is fond of, well pleased, contented at
or with Paul and the Ephesian church members”. Using the standard
in which “Jesus Christ” “loved”
Paul and the church members of Ephesus, they were to conduct
themselves in the same way toward one another.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and has
given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweet-smelling savor.” Paul
added, “and has given”
which means “delivered to one something to keep, use, take care of
and manage into the hands of”
“himself”
which refers to “Jesus” “for us”
which refers to the Ephesians and Paul “an
offering”
which means “a bringing to, a gift and sacrifice” “and
a sacrifice”
or “the act or the victim” “to
God” who
is “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the
Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “for
a sweet-smelling” which
literally means an “odor of acquiescence, satisfaction” and
metaphorically means “a thing well pleasing to God” “savor”
which means
“smell or odor”. Jesus' love for Paul and the Ephesians was like
unto a “satisfactory
and sweet”
“offering”
to God.
When
we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how God loves the “sweet
odor” of people who walk “in love” toward one
another. Like the aroma of a saccharine “sacrifice” to
God, “love” between believers in Christ pleases Him. Jesus
demonstrated how we are to “love one another”, and as we
follow His example, we offer to God that which He desires to see
among those who belong to His church.
Next
time Paul instructs the Ephesians concerning “fornication,
and all uncleanness, or covetousness”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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