How do you smell?

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A few days ago as I was pondering on the Scriptures a thought lingered in my mind: Since God is Spirit, how can He smell the sacrifices of the people on earth?

We often wear cologne or perfume to smell good amongst others. I personally have a collection of men's Bath and Body Works scented lotion that gives me a fresh new scent each morning. For a lot of people, this is a part of their morning routine as well. Most of us can agree that no one wants to be known as the stinky person. We can also agree that most people will do whatever it takes to not have a stench before men, but do we ever think of how we smell in the presence of God?

A common conclusion that a majority of the population of this world would come to is that everyone stays far away from the person that has a smell. Unfortunately, for most of us this is what we experience from God during prayer. A common problem amongst believers is that the omnipresent God seems to be absent when they are praying. We have been quick to pray but slow to obey, leading many of our prayers to a disconnection or delay.

31 We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and a worshiper of Him and does His will, He listens to him. ~ John 9:31 AMPC

A question arises. Is it possible to be intimate with someone that has a terrible smell? Consider children. No matter how precious they are in our eyes, once we notice a smell do we not rush to change them immediately? It seems as though their cuteness is put on hold until the smell has been taken care of.

We must truthfully examine ourselves and get to the bottom of a problem that seems to be plaguing Christianity. We must search through the Scriptures and figure out what fragrance God has received from us.

20 And Noah built an altar to the Lord and took of every clean [four-footed] animal and of every clean fowl or bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 When the Lord smelled the pleasing odor [a scent of satisfaction to His heart], the Lord said to Himself, I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the imagination (the strong desire) of man’s heart is evil and wicked from his youth; neither will I ever again smite and destroy every living thing, as I have done. ~Genesis 8:20-21 AMPC

Since we know that God created every animal, we can assume the burning of their flesh is not what God considered to be the pleasing odor. It was the heart of the man made of flesh that made the burning of the animals pleasing to God. We know from the Scriptures that God wanted Noah to save two of each animal, so what could possibly make this sacrifice sufficient in the eyes of God?

8 But Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord. 9 This is the history of the generations of Noah. Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked [in habitual fellowship] with God. ~Genesis 6:8-9 AMPC

From the beginning of time, God has been interested in the heart of the man -- not the actions. We see other sacrifices much similar to Noah's that let off a stench to the nostrils of God.

21 I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will not smell a savor or take delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 Though you offer Me your burnt offerings and your cereal offerings, I will not accept them, neither will I look upon the peace or thank offerings of your fatted beasts. ~Amos 5:21-22 AMPC

Sadly, we think that because we reluctantly gather each week this is enough to please God. We ignorantly think that the Father who sent His Son to die a horrific death for us is pleased by our religious gatherings that offer very small, if any, meaningful life change. Would the God that offered up His only begotten Son as the sacrifice for humanity be pleased with our mere presence for an hour as our sacrifice?

A person who stinks will keep a many away, but an assembly that stinks according to Scripture will keep God at bay.

We must ask ourselves, Is it enough to just gather? Imagine how the relationships in our personal lives would be affected if we applied this attitude to them. In the birth of the Church in the New Testament, we see that God was pleased and added people to it Himself. In the Scriptures, we see not just a gathering but rather an intimate fellowship and deep expression of love amongst believers.

44 And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common; 45 And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need. 46 And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts, 47 Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death]. ~Acts 2:44-47 AMPC

When the world was in need of the ultimate, sweet-smelling sacrifice, God sent His only Son to accomplish the task. We see that when His sacrifice and wholehearted love was imitated, the Church (which represents the body of the perfect and final sacrifice) was established. Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone that we, the Church, is built off of. Without laying down our own desires completely, it is like trying to add plastic legos to the top of a stone structure. The pieces will simply fall off, one by one. This, unfortunately, represents the decline of most churches in the Western parts of the world.

2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a [a]slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. ~Ephesians 5:2 AMPC

Even as imperfect humans, we would like to leave a trace of a scent that people will remember. To those who don't know God (Love) we are called to be a magnificent fragrance to win the hearts and minds of unbelievers. We must be honest with ourselves. If unbelievers aren't blown away by our fragrance, God is probably not too fond of it Himself.

15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: ~2 Corinthians 2:15 AMPC