26 lines
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26 lines
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">April 25</div></div>
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<h2>A Fragrance of Christ to God</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, <b>and</b> through us <b>diffuses</b> the <b>fragrance</b> of His <b>knowledge</b>…For we are to <b>God</b> the <b>fragrance of Christ</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',2,14,15);">2 Corinthians 2:14-15</a>)</div>
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<p>In addition to the <b>characteristic</b> of triumphant living, God also wants to develop in our lives the <b>fragrance of Christ</b>. <i>"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, <b>and</b> through us <b>diffuses</b> the <b>fragrance</b> of His <b>knowledge</b>."</i></p>
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<p>Just as there are physical fragrances that can be noticed by our physical senses, there are also <b>spiritual fragrances</b> that can impact us spiritually. If a woman generously applies perfume to herself, others will certainly notice the fragrance of that perfume. If a person consistently presses on to know the Lord, others will definitely be impacted by the <i>"<b>fragrance</b> of His <b>knowledge</b>."</i> This is described as the <i>"<b>fragrance of Christ</b>."</i> This is that spiritual aroma that emanates from the lives of those who are getting to know the Lord. It is a validating reality that the Lord Jesus Christ is dwelling in their lives and is being evidenced through their lives.</p>
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<p>As we are getting to know the Lord more and more, this spiritual aroma of Christ blesses even <b>God Himself</b>. <i>"For we are <b>to God</b> the fragrance of Christ."</i> Yes, God is the first one who savors this Christlike fragrance.</p>
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<p>Our ministry and testimony is always <b>primarily</b> unto the <b>Lord</b>. We who believe in Jesus Christ are to be <i>"finding out what is <b>acceptable</b> to the <b>Lord</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',5,10);">Ephesians 5:10</a>). We are not here on earth to please ourselves. <i>"Do I seek to <b>please men</b>? For if I still <b>pleased men</b>, I would <b>not</b> be a <b>servant</b> of <b>Christ</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',1,10);">Galatians 1:10</a>). We are here to please our God. <i>"Brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to <b>please God</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Th',4,1);">1 Thessalonians 4:1</a>).</p>
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<p>What ultimately pleases our heavenly Father is His beloved Son. When the Father looked down from heaven at the baptism of His Son, He exclaimed, <i>"This is <b>My beloved Son</b>, in whom <b>I am well pleased</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat',3,17);">Matthew 3:17</a>). When our Father looks down upon our lives today, He wants to enjoy the fragrance of His Son emanating forth from our lives. <i>"For we are <b>to God</b> the <b>fragrance of Christ.</b>"</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Heavenly Father, I long to bless You by the fragrance of Christ through my life. I am sorry that the stench of selfish flesh is what sometimes emanates from me. Lord, help me to get to know You more and more, so that the knowledge of You can produce the aroma of Christ in and through me, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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