HOW TO SMELL LIKE GOD

God’s love is not based on your inherit worth. You haven’t earned His love or deserved it in any way.  His love is unmerited love and your worth doesn’t come from what you’ve done or what you look like or what you wear. It’s not based on your appearance or performance, where you live or what kind of car you drive. Your worth comes from how much God was willing to pay to restore your severed relationship with Him.

If you’ve ever felt alone or wondered if there is anyone out there who cares, the answer is “YES!” No matter who you are. No matter what you’ve done. He accepts you “as is” & He loves you.

God thinks you are worth dying for. Not because of great things you’ve done, but because of His deep love for you.

God is almighty, all-knowing, fair, and full of love. He wants to have a relationship with you. He’s out to get you-not to catch you doing something wrong-but to meet you and make you part of His family. It’s not too late. Listen to God’s call. Accept His offer. Trust in His love. Don’t step off the cliff of this life into uncertainty-fall instead into God’s waiting & forgiving arms.

If your soul is alone or afraid or filled with regrets and pain, you can find forgiveness for the past and hope for the future by simply trusting in Christ for your salvation.

There’s only one solution to our sin problem-the sin needs to be removed. It’s like a stain on your soul that needs to be cleared off before you can be in the presence of God. What is the ultimate stain-remover? What’s the only solution available? The Blood of Jesus.

God’s love is unfailing, unflinching and everlasting; that His forgiveness is full and free and forever; and that when He forgives, He forgets and doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. God’s word is like a scalpel. Separating truth from lies and exposing all the diseased areas of our sinful lives. And sometimes that hurts. But once we realize who we are in God’s eyes, we finally have the chance to receive God’s gift of life. And be made better. Forever.

Now, imagine a whole planet of zombies. Dead people walking around , never  experiencing true life, and not even realizing they’re missing out. See? A world filled with the living dead. Pursuing evil. Doomed forever. But then God came down. Jesus lived and died and conquered death. And He offers life without end to all who believe, “No matter who we are or what we have done.” (Romans 3:22).

A distinct change occurs in people’s hearts and lives when they become Christians. It’s like they’re given brand-new lives. And to God, they stop smelling like dead, rotting corpses, and begin to smell like His Son, Jesus.

Most people are zombies. They go through the motions of being alive, but inside, they’re spiritually dead. They live without God and without hope in the world (Ephesians 2:12). And there’s only one way to get off this planet alive: Faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior.

You might wish to pray something like this:

“Dear God. I want to be a part of your family. I want to experience that spiritual rebirth and stop living like a zombie. I admit I’m a sinner and can’t get to heaven on my own. I know that Jesus lived, died and rose again to forgive my sins. Today, I place my trust in Him and I turn my life over to You. I repent of my past and give you my future. Thanks for being my Savior, Jesus. I can’t wait to smell more like You. Amen.”

It’s not the prayer you pray or the words you say, but rather the attitude of your heart. At the moment, when you believe in Jesus Christ as Your Savior, you are given new life from God. And heaven is guaranteed. You are no longer a zombie. You can finally start on the journey toward smelling like God.

Some people think Christianity is restricting, boring, lifeless, dull or limiting. But here Jesus is saying, “You got it all wrong. I came to give ultimate life. It’s what I lived for. That’s what I offer! More freedom. More peace. More meaning than you’ve ever imagined. If you want to experience life to the fullest with the most possible joy, freedom, purpose and pain. Step over here and follow me. If you want the dry juiceless existence of never really tapping into life, go your own way.”

Jesus isn’t here to limit us, but to set us free, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free” (John 8:36). Freedom, not restriction. That’s what lies at the heart of following Jesus. The secret to smelling like God is realizing that it’s Jesus expressing Himself through you that smells so good. As you hand over the reigns of your life to Him and say, “Take me where you want me to go!” You’ll start to smell more like God everyday.

If God is your copilot, switch seats! Embrace the moment. Pursue your dreams. Live without regrets. He wants you to experience all the fullness of life has to offer, all the joy and peace possible. Life on the edge. Life to the max. The ultimate adventure. That’s what Jesus came to provide. That’s what He promises. It’s the journey of a lifetime and there’s no turning back. Are you ready to sign on? Once you place your faith in Him, the adventure has begun!

When you trust in Christ, a change takes place in you that will affect your choices, lifestyle and attitudes. Things that didn’t bother you before you may start to make you uncomfortable. Language and joking that seemed natural may begin to sound unnatural and offensive. Why? Because you’re no longer yourself! You’re a new and different person. The moment you become a Christian, God gives you an awesome new identity. This doesn’t mean you don’t care about your old friends or that you aren’t willing to spend time with them or that you’re better than they are. It simply means you shouldn’t be surprised when you don’t “fit in” like you used to. You have a totally new identity. You’ve started to smell like God!

When we become a believer of Christ, we went from lowly to holy, from zeroes to heroes. God doesn’t just remodel your old life, He gives you a radical new one. So if you don’t feel like yourself anymore, it may be a good thing. God is shaping you to be more-and smell more-like Jesus!

Sin promises to taste delicious, but after you take a bite you discover that the after taste is sour. You end with regrets, shame, confussion and hurt, only listen to that sweet, promising voice again, “Pick me up. I’m harmless.” Any time a sin seems safe, watch out!

God doesn’t force us to behave when temptation come our way. He gives us a choice. A chance to follow Jesus. A chance to smell like God.

In God’s eyes, showing compassion and meeting the physical needs of those less fortunate than you is a practical way of expressing your love for Jesus. You actually serve Him when you serve them. Always it is compassion. Perhaps you’ve seen Him. Perhaps sometimes you thought this:

“He’s not my problem. Someone else will help him.

I’m in a hurry. I’ll help the next I see.

Those people are dangerous. You need to keep your distance.

What would people think if they saw me talking to him?”

And each time the words, “When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me,” fade softly into the static of everyday life. Jesus in the background. Excuses. Busyness. Priorities. Left overs.

We see brand names on everything from jeans to computers to pick-up trucks to shoes. Everything has a logo or trademark these days. But what about Christianity? Is there any identifying mark or distinctive lifestyle?

“A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34, 35, NIV.)

Jesus said that the trademark of Christianity is a lifestyle of love. Love smells like God.

It can be as simple as a smile, a hug, a word of thanks, a phone call, a backrub, an encouraging email, listening, spending time with someone, praying for or offering to help her through a tough time, being there where he needs you. Compassion takes different forms but the trademark of love is evident.

How do you make that kind of love and lifestyle your own? By pursuing your relationship with Jesus, growing in your understanding of who He is and what He has done for you, and by letting His love shine in and through your life. Following Jesus day by day. Choice by choice. Smelling like God all the while. Giving God, and others, more than your left overs.

Love is not a feeling you get in your gut while you’re holding your girflfriend’s hand. That might be nausea, but it ain’t love. Love is not that queasy, exciting little thrill you get wherever you see her. That might be constipation but it ain’t love. Love is not a feeling, it’s a choice. It’s a decision to meet the needs of another person by serving his or her best interests despite the price, whatever the cost-and expecting nothing in return. Love is a response. And love always has a genuine concern for other Person’s best interest. It’s not like giving away your leftovers. Love doesn’t judge others based on mere appearances. In God’s eyes we’re all equals. Christians sometimes make the mistake of thinking lonely people only need God. Very often, lonely people need us.

The closer we are to God. Like Mary or Moses-the more we’ll smell like Jesus. The more we’ll grow in this darkened world. The secret to smelling like God and serving like Jesus is to stay intimate with God and let the Holy Spirit direct your life.

The people who accomplish great things for God always have: (1) unshakable confidence (2) unquenchable passion (3) wholehearted devotion (4) genuine humility (5) generous heart.

No matter what you do or have done, God will always accept you. But He will never accept your excuses. Learn to say “Yes!” to Him. Whatever the cost. Whatever it takes. Whatever it leads.

God doesn’t look for accomplishments but faithfulness. He doesn’t care how many Church services you’ve attended, how many Bible verses you’ve memorized, how many things you’ve checked off your to-do list. What He is wondering, and what He will ask you one day, is: “Where was your heart? What was your desire? How did you live out my love for the world to see?”

Christianity isn’t a tradition. It isn’t a religion. It isn’t about going to Church and trying your hardest to follow the rules. It isn’t even about being good. It isn’t about how you dress, who your parents are or how you act. Christianity is all about knowing, serving and honoring the God who loves you.

When we pray we talk to God, but there’s more to it than that is more of a lifestyle than activity. That’s why God encourages us to “pray continually” and live lives of “constant prayer.” Because  prayer is being real before God. That means no pretending. No acting like you’re good enough, respectable enough or wise enough on your own that you don’t need God. No games, no role-playing, no masks, no excuses. Be genuine, be vulnerable, honest, sincere and authentic.

You can live an authentic life by being:

Honest-by keeping your promises.

Sincere-by meaning what you say.

Respectful-by showing that you care.

Vulnerable-by admitting when you’re wrong.

When you’re filled with sadness, let it overflow to Him. When you’re angry or afraid or hurting or confused, let Him know. When you’re stressed out or in trouble, talk to God. That’s real prayer.

Praise God for who He is. Thank God for all He’s done. And on those days when God’s love just overwhelms you and you can’t seem to hold in it, let loose! Explode into passionate praise and thanksgiving without fear of embarrassment! That’s what being real is all about.

The way to achieve true inner harmony and happiness isn’t by earning a mountain of cash or impressing hordes of fans or even seeing your name in lights. True harmony, happiness and peace come from knowing your sins are forgiven and that you are accepted by God-despite the mistakes and the wrongs you’ve done in the past.

We all have scars. Some are on the surface. Some are in our hearts, where no one but God can see. Deep, deep scars. Scars from those words you accidentally overhead… from the apology that was never given… from the tears you bottled up and never cried… from the shattered dreams or broken heart you carry. But instead of blindly asking, “Why?”, open your eyes and ask, “who else?” Odds are, someday you’ll met someone with the same scars. Will you be ready to help that person? Will you let God bring something out of the scars in your life?

We honor God when we stick with Him, trust that He knows best and remain faithful even when life doesn’t make sense.

God will be with you. Through the tough times. Through the good times. Through the bad times. You may never see the full purpose of suffering in this life, but you can honor the Holy Spirit by continuing to trust in Him even when life-with all of its suffering-doesn’t make sense.

Are you looking for a practical way to express your love for God? Then begin learning and obeying His commands. God doesn’t want us to serve Him out of obligation or guilt, but in freedom expressed through love. True obedience always disobeying yourself. Jesus came to do His Father’s will rather than whatever he wanted.

Sometimes we go to Church and hear about how important is to share Christ’s love, but too often we make excuses for doing nothing. Or, we just go through the motions. We don’t usually consider sharing our faith with others a matter of life and death. Yet a main part of the job description of being a Christian is rescuing other people. People drifting away from God. People who are spiritually drowning.

When Jesus returns, the last thing you want to be doing is standing there wondering if you could have done more to save someone. Saving someone’s life is something you’ll never regret. Sharing with him or her the new life Jesus offers is even better. Because it lasts forever.

God sent Jesus to suffer in your place and pay the penalty for your sins. Trusting in Christ as your Savior is the only way to have a right relationship with God. Before you can start to smell like God, you need to get to know and believe in the one true God.

Then, follow Jesus and let Him change you from the inside out. Following God isn’t base on a set of rules, but on deepening your relationship with Him and letting Him rule in your life.

Finally, let the Holy Spirit guide you into a life of purity that spreads the fragrance of heaven throughout your world. And as you go, God goes with you. To touch the lives of others with the aroma of His love. Out of gratitude for what God has done, you can honor Him by taking the message of His love to the world.

To know Him. To serve Him. To honor Him. That’s what it means to smell like God.

Serving God is the ultimate adventure and heaven is the ultimate destination. May your life burn with its supernatural scent! I pray that I’ll see you (and smell you) there, someday soon!

Blessings!

From the Book:

How to Smell like God

,