Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The gospel has a delightful
fragrance to those who are appointed to hear and believe it. On the
other hand, it is an offensive odor to those who are not. As
it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and
rock of offense, and whosoever believeth in him shall not be
ashamed. For the preaching of the cross
is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it
is the power of God. Paul describes a sweet fragrance
to the Lord, which is spread in the earth by those he has
appointed to declare the unsearchable riches of Christ. For we are
unto God a sweet savor of Christ. For this sweet perfume of the
gospel is delightful to him as he directs it forth to accomplish
the exact purpose for which he sends it. So shall my word be
that goeth forth out of my mouth. It shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall
prosper in the thing whereto I send it. Therefore Paul says
this declaration of his word is pleasing unto him in them
that are saved and in them that perish. He is delighted by the
exaltation of his name. The Greek word, which means sweet
fragrance, is used twice more in the scriptures. Once in Paul's
rejoicing in the gift that was brought to him from the Philippians
by the hand of Epaphroditus, where he uses a combination of
two of the words. But I have all in a bound, I
am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from
you, an odor, that is a fragrance, of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
acceptable, pleasing to God. The other instance in which this
term is used is found as Paul exhorts the Ephesians, and walk
in love as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for
us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. In this verse he has reference
to the sweet fragrance of the offering of Christ, both in the
nostrils of God and in those privileged to hear and believe.
We are sanctified through the body of Jesus Christ once for
all, and every priest daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this man, after
he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on
the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till his enemies be
made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected
forever them that are sanctified." The cross of Christ is that sweet
fragrance which is a delight to all of the awakened sons of
God. Yet until such time as the Lord is pleased to open their
ears, they are each one as deaf as those who never hear. What
a glorious privilege is bestowed upon the children of God as he
brings them out of darkness. But ye are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should
show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness
into his marvelous light, which in time past were not a people,
but are now the people of God, which had not obtained mercy,
but now have obtained mercy. Just as a mother rejoices as
she holds her newborn babe, which was just moments before the cause
of her greatest pain, so too are those who are made to see
the glory of Christ, caused to forget any heartache which was
used by Him to bring them to this glorious revelation. The
sweet savor of Christ exceeds all else. In a moment, Job forgot
his suffering as the Lord was pleased to reveal himself in
his glory. Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
all in all in thee I find. Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
heal the sick, and lead the blind. Just and holy is thy name. I
am all unrighteousness. vile and full of sin I am, thou
art full of truth and grace." So we see Christ as the Savior
of sinners, being a sweet-smelling savor in the nostrils of those
who have been given faith and the understanding of their own
rebellious and unthankful hearts. How delightful it is to contemplate
the riches of His grace, the depths of His mercy, and the
wonder of His faithfulness! In what else can the sons of
God take delight? This blessing is visited upon
those whom the Lord has ordained to receive it. And I will bring
the blind by a way that they knew not, I will lead them in
paths that they have not known. I will make darkness light before
them and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them
and not forsake them." The basis upon which this savor comes to
their enjoyment finds its foundation in the fact that the work and
the person of Jesus Christ is a sweet savor unto Him. Thus
he testified, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him. That glorious fragrance
is demonstrated in Peter's declaration. And we believe and are sure that
thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Is the gospel
of God's free grace in Jesus Christ a sweet savor to you? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.