Ephesians 5:2
“and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
As Jesus lived in a sacrificial way, it was a fragrant aroma to God. Basically Jesus came to demonstrate the way of love and to give Himself as a sacrifice for sin. This pleases God, as He is love.
That which pleases Him displays to us His value system. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shared the beatitudes. This is a list of all that is a pleasing aroma to God. They are listed as the type of person that's blessed: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me."
The first is being poor in spirit. This is being aware of our need for God. We are all sinful in need of a savior, as well as daily guidance. We are blessed when know this and are a pleasing aroma to God.
The next is those who mourn. God sees all those hurts and seeks to comfort them. This is different from whining or being a victim. That's a "made up" need. He sees our real needs.
Next are the gentle. These see the needs of others and seeks to deal with them delicately. With the frightened, they approach cautiously. With the angry, they are understanding. and so on.
Next is those that hunger and thirst for righteousness. These are those that want God and His ways. He gives to those that want Him. It's a pleasing aroma to Him.
Next is the merciful. These are those that forgive and are forgiving. They understand the nuances of motive and aren't judgmental.
Next are those who are pure in heart. We are all still sinful, but God sanctifies us on a daily basis. He values those that are genuine. Jesus said of Philip, "an Israelite in whom is no guile", (John 1:47). There are no mind games, no hidden motives. He was who he was. These shall see God.
Next are the peacemakers. They seek to solve problems, not create them. There is no gossip or starting of fires. Peace is the third fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Peace is what God and the godly bring. These are the sons of God.
Next are those who are persecuted. As we share the gospel and make stands for Christ, people will oppose us, we will lose friends. That's ok. He is worth it. The seed sown may grow and that one may come to Christ. We are spreading His kingdom.
These beatitudes are God's values. He seeks to work them in us. As He does we become a sweet aroma unto Him and all those around. Like pleasing incense, our lives make Him happy.
Lord, thank You for all Your grace. Thank You that You care for us and seek to work Your character and will in us.