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Scented Saints
By Dr. Joseph Chambers
Incense has always played a part in all religions. Visit the religious shrines of the world and you will usually find many candles burning in different shapes and configurations. The demon gods demand that their worshippers offer perfumed honor in their behalf. The idea of incense as found in these religions is not only wrong, it is terribly distorted.
The Holy Bible has much to say about incense, but so different from the showy world of false religions. Biblical incense is a life lived in the graces of Jesus Christ and the perfume is Holiness - His Holiness - not candles of various smells. We are to be unto our God a sweet savor of Christ. Our Heavenly Father revels in a life so pure and full of grace that the aroma of Jesus Christ spreads out into our world. This aroma is a savor (perfume) of life unto life to the believers and, also, a savor of death unto death to the spiritually dead.
Listen as Apostle Paul shares His revelation of the incense. "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor (aroma) of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?" (II Corinthians 2:14-16). The depth of this truth has little interest in our worldly churches. The perfume of His presence cannot be lit like a candle. The whole idea of worshipping with scented lights is pagan and blasphemous. The Holiness of His redemptive graces and life imparted to us is the only perfume that can waft its way into His presence.
Our God is exalted by saints that dwell long and patiently in His Son's presence. As we revel in His Holy revelations and by faith allow His blood to sanctify and purify body, soul, and spirit (I Thessalonians 5:23), we indeed can offer incense (a sweet savor) unto our Father. This sweet savor is the making of revival and spiritual awakening. Conviction of the Holy Ghost will follow "Scented Saints." Our lives will bless the church and the world. Sinners of our day have heard so much from and about religious people that show no "graces of righteousness" that religion has become a fluke. The world is plainly rejecting the false pretense that goes for Christianity today.
"Scented Saints" is the heart's cry of Biblical truth. Soft words by "Scented Saints" will break hard hearts. Biblical Holiness is not hard, demanding, nor is it condemning. Biblical Holiness is a work of such power and beauty that it melts the arrogance of our enemies. It is His nature, the same nature that wicked men could not resist when He walked this earth. One police officer sent to arrest Him returned to those in authority without Him proclaiming, "Never man spake like this man" (John 7:46). A hard Roman soldier beneath His cross finally said, "Truly this man was the Son of God" (Mark 15:39).
"Forgive me, God, for trying to light a candle that I might shine. I surrender before such grace as is revealed in your cross. In your presence, teach me to let your aroma fill every part of my being until my Father makes me a blessing to saints and sinners alike. I surrender to be a Scented Saint in a sick and repulsive world. Amen!"
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