by Tang Long Kin
Breitling Bentley Replica
This is the theme of FCC for year 2017. It is taken from 2Cor 2:14-15. It says “through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere” and “...we are the aroma of Christ to God…”
As I ponder on this theme, I constantly ask myself how could I live out this life? How could my life be spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ? How could I be the aroma to God? Then I came across 1Pet 3:8-16. Reading these two passages together give me some ideas.
A) Blessing our adversaries is a necessity not a choice. In blessing them we spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ
We often think that not retaliating or repaying evil for evil is all that is required of us. But 1Pet 3:9 says we are to bless our enemies too because “…for this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing…” We are to bless our enemies; not merely refraining from repaying evil with evil or as for most of us do, ignore them. It is hard for us to live it out. It is much easier for us to just ignore those who harm us. Bless my enemies? Yes, the bible says we must. If we do not bless them we will miss out the blessings God has for us. This is something the world will not do but we who are disciples of Christ are commanded to do it. In doing so, we spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ everywhere.
B) Staying united in one mind with humility and taking care of one another with brotherly love and tenderness of heart will invariably spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ
The world is constantly watching how we live our lives. Unity is one thing they constantly look for in us. We speak of one loving God and that we are all children of our heavenly Father but if we do not unite in one mind where is our credibility as disciples of Christ? Ignoring the sufferings of others especially among the household of faith will only raise the question of the sincerity of our faith. Let us strive for unity in mind among us this coming year and beyond. Let us see to the needs of fellow disciples with brotherly love and with tenderness in our hearts. In our daily conduct with one another let there be gentleness and humility in us. Even when we share the gospel with prebelivers let there be gentleness and humility. Boastfulness in sharing the gospel will not win others over; in fact it will repel them. When the world sees our lives live in the light of 1Pet 3:8, they sense the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus.
C) There is no law against doing good to others.
There can be no wrong if we are to aspire to do good to others even if we overdo it. Peter told us to continue to do good to our limit. Have no fear in over doing it because in this evil world no amount of good is enough. Don’t hold back in doing good to others. Even if we were to suffer for doing good, we will be blessed (1Pet 3:14). But in doing good always do it in honor of Jesus, with gentleness and respect for others. Again humility is essential in doing good so that Jesus may be honored. The fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus will be spread around if the good that we do is to honor Him. We must never take the honor and glory in doing good. They belong to God.
D) God is our ultimate protector and reward giver
As disciples of Christ, we are expected to suffer for His sake. This is not a choice that you can decide. Suffering is part and parcel of being a disciple of Jesus. If you have not suffered much, praise and thank God. But if you suffer for His sake; even when doing good
Panerai PAM00688 Replica to others; do not be discouraged. 1Pet 3:12 says, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Conclusion
Doing good is just one of the many ways to let the beauty of Jesus be seen in us but nevertheless it is also an important aspect. So let us strive to do good to one another and maintain unity among the household of God with humility in heart and gentleness in spirit.