Febreze For The Soul

“The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:9-11”

This scripture has stood out to me this week, and I have not been able to stop reading it. The more I had read it, the more the Word spoke to me concerning church servant hood.

One who says he is in the light, is one who calls himself a follower of Christ. If I have read this correctly, I believe it says if we call ourselves Christians and hate a fellow believer, we are not really Christians and not really saved, but in the darkness (deceived by lies and our own arrogant pride). This has caused be to examine how I love and hate my fellow believers, and has brought great application.

I choose Pigpen as my illustration, as I want us all to honestly browse our congregations, and think about our stinky guy. A stinky guy, is a person you ignore, shut out, or otherwise pretend does not exist, even though you find them under your nose every week. The stinky guy may very well stink, and you therefore choose to keep your distance, but it may go much deeper than that. The stinky guy may have some sort of stigma. Maybe years ago he cheated on his spouse, or was in prison for a crime, as a stigma can smell worse than a odor to the nose. Then possibly, the stinky guy was born into a race, culture, or sex that you have always considered stinky. Finally, your stinky guy could be the annoying dorky kid that says the weirdest things, and you are too cool to be seen with him. You run in the other direction as to not be associated with him. I know who my stinky guy is. Do you?

I thought that hate was a really strong word. After all, I don’t really hate anyone…..so that lets me off the hook right? Okay, so if I can’t honestly explore hate, lets explore love. To explore love, lets look at the relationship between love and servant hood.

“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart. Acts 2:46” The breaking of bread from home to home refers to being of service to each other, but it one accord. So far no stinky guys.

“So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Genesis 29:20” In this example, we will be happy to serve for someone we love.

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13” Do not use grace as a ticket to sin! Rather, bear the fruit or one who knows their Savior by serving one another in love!

Jesus performed a menial task generally done by the lowliest servant in the household. “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him." As Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, can you imagine Him saying he couldn't wash Phillips because they were too stinky? We are instructed to wash each others feet, following the example of our Savior in serving one another by forgiving one another.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25" Jesus loved the church by laying down His life, just as a shepherd would defending his sheep. The shepherd does not care that his sheep are dumb and stinky. (No I did not just call my wife stinky. Apply it where it applies.)

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. John 15:13” And Jesus Christ did just that in ultimate service to mankind for our forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.

So the one who loves his brother, serves his brother. What are the simplest ways we can serve each other? We can forgive one another, pray for each other. I can guarantee that if you are not forgiving and praying for someone, you are not showing love, and are not exhibiting an example of Christ. I’m not saying you need to go become best friends with your stinky guy, or make a big ordeal to make it up to them. Start by forgiving them for what made them stinky, pray for your own forgiveness, and pray for them. From there just don’t ignore them anymore, but be willing and intentional.

Once you forgive someone, and pray for them, it is amazing how they become no longer stinky.

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