In the last post, I talked about how we best worship and glorify God when we love one another enough to sacrifice what we prefere in music, laying down our lives to bless another. I would like to continue that thought a little more.

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 always seems to hit right where I live. Particularly one verse that always confused me until I saw it in context. Verse 30, "And do not greive the Holy Sprit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."(NASB). Paul sticks this in, at first glance, smack out of nowhere, after telling the believers in Ephesus a long list of don'ts. Don't give the devil opportunity, don't steal anylonger, don't speak an unwholesome word, then...don't grieve the Holy Spirit... Paul then continues, Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice be put away...do be kind and forgive.

How does one grieve the Holy Spirit? Look in the context. Paul is giving us a guide as to how we are to treat, communicate, and relate to one another. We grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we treat one another.

When we slander, cause dissention, or act maliciously, it causes God to be saddened. Why?

Eph.5:1-2, "Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

He wants us to be imitators of Him who gave Himself up as a fragrant aroma. The Greek words there imply an invasion into the terrestrial from the supernatural (Kittle, Theology Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol II, p. 810). Worship becomes a "fragrant aroma" when we sacrifice, laying down our selves for Himself, for others--our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.

Friends love one another, lay down any personal preferences, that He may become glorified by how we love His body, the one sitting beside you, behind you, and in front of you.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Aaron "Tree" Landis
Psalm 1.3