Surprise: What is Repugnant to us is not particularly what Stinks to God
Have you ever had a very active day when you were concerned about offending others with B.O. (body odor)? You’re not alone. I’ve seen female students in a history classroom putting on deodorant after their physical education class. I will admit from time to time, I’ve been concerned about my own cleanliness! But what stinks to God?
In times past I had a job in a small area with someone having terrible B.O. (body odor) and horrendous breath. There was almost no escaping it! To top it off, this person would constantly interrupt as I was working on delicate projects – a triple hit to my sensitivity. I was unable to tolerate it. Frankly, I didn’t behave as a Christian!
I Corinthians 13:4-7 states Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. It also states If I don’t have love I am nothing (NO THING)! To be a man of God I must walk in Love!
Who Really Stinks To God?
After a few days of “stewing” over my predicament with this person, I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me that my attitude toward this worker created a far greater stench to God than the person’s body odor. How am I to win the unsaved to Christ with my stinking attitude? Even worse, my attitude was separating me from God whom I say, I love. If I can’t love my fellow man, how can I say I love God? I was ashamed!
It’s important to remember that we were all once sinners, but Christ was born to take all our sins (wrongs) on his body on the cross. After hours of being tortured in the most horrible manner, Jesus was killed. When He died, I’m positive HE didn’t smell wonderful.
We’ve probably all been offended from time to time. After all, we live in an imperfect world! It’s just going to happen to us! Question: Will we allow the offense rob us of our peace of mind and our relationship with God, earned by Jesus Christ?
I am reminded of a sermon preached by Billy Joe Watts, a wonderful Godly black pastor. He explained a high school instance as he anchored an exciting 1-mile relay race for his team in the Sectionals. In the homestretch he was passing a white runner who had been in 1st place. The runner shouted to him, “Get back here you little nigger!”
Billy Joe stated that he could have immediately jumped his antagonist and beat him senseless. No one would have blamed him. But his team would have lost the race and missed their destiny. Instead, he disregarded the insult and went on to win his team’s race and eventually lead his relay team to win the Wisconsin State Championship! His point?
Don’t let Any Offense Keep Your from Your Destiny!
What stinks to God? How’s your love walk? If we say we have love, but don’t practice it, our witnessing becomes as a noisy gong or clanging cymbal; our works for God don’t profit us. So, now’s a great time to remind us: We need to develop sincere love and patience with everyone!
