Smells Fishy

     We have great intentions of eating healthy. Yet, after buying fish and fresh vegetables, we sometimes start smelling something fishy. All things once alive, when cut off from the Source of Life, begin to smell which is a sign of rotting and necrosis. 

    In Exodus 16, God has once again provided for the grumbling Israelites, but tested again to see if they will follow His directions, things begin to "smell fishy." The people are directed by Moses to collect the manna (a honey flavored wafer that falls like dew in the morning) as God specified, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on other days [for the Sabbath]'" (Exodus 16:4-5).

    So how do you suppose that went? "Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed. Then Moses said to them, 'No one is to keep any of it until morning.' However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell" (Exodus 16:18-20). Smells fishy? Yes, when we ignore God's commands and principals, our lives begin to smell like sin. 

    How can we keep from stinking up the space in and around us? We are told in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NKJV), "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." The Apostle Paul is speaking of the sharing of the gospel of Christ. To those willing to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ, the words are sweet and fragrant, but to those who refuse to accept the gospel, the words are sour and smelly. 

    To those who turn their noses up at the fragrance of Christ, unwilling to submit to the will of God, their lack of humility leads to eternal death. Psalm 92:6-7 puts it this way, "Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever." There is hope though and the Word of God puts it like this in 2 Peter 3:9 (CEB), "The Lord isn't slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives." 

    God is not slow in returning for His people, He's waiting for those that think something "smells fishy" about this life on earth and turn from their old habits and choose life eternal in Christ Jesus. Then they will smell the fragrance of Christ like the smell of fresh baked bread, it will draw them in and remind them that this world is not their home. 

    Our home is in heaven and the welcome mat is out for any who choose to leave their smelly sins behind and call on Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord. He takes away my sins and yours and makes us smell like fresh linens as we are washed in His blood (Revelation 1:5 KJV). 

Acts 4:14 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven [other than Jesus Christ] given to mankind by which we must be saved.