The Breath of God

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4 NIV

What is it that you think of, when you first hear the words – Holy Bible? Do you think of a set of rules and regulations? The Bible is God’s Word and is meant to refresh us along our journey and encourage us in time of trouble or sorrow. It should bring us delight and praise in the midst of our journey.

The Word of God is described as God-breathed. When we read, study, mediate, and take in God’s Word we are taking in the very breath of God. It not only gives life but sustains it. It is the oxygen our soul and spirit needs to enjoy the journey.

Look at what the Bible says about His breath and enjoy. Get as close as you can to His breath, and I promise you, He has never had bad breath.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 NIV – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Genesis 2:7 NIV – The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Job 34:14,15 NIV – If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust.

Isaiah 55:10,11 NIV – As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Hebrews 4:12 NIV – For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

This is meant to be more than an exchange of information, it is meant to be an encounter with life.

The Fragrance Of Christ

Have you ever been at a place your life where things are just not working? Have you ever had a season of life that you wished was over? I have and the Scripture that is before us is a refreshing reminder of who we are in Jesus the Christ. If you will, it awakens the soul to freshness again.

2 Corinthians 2:14,15a NIV

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ…

The word – fragrance – is a pleasant word. It does not mean stench. It is an inviting word and brings pleasant things to mind. Through us he spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

The Bible says that to God, we are the aroma of Christ. How is this aroma seen in the Word of God? Romans 8:28,29 NIV – We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. What does it mean to be called according to his purpose? It is the aroma to be conformed to the likeness of his son.

Several years before his death, Karl Barth – a Swiss theologian – came to the United States for a series of lectures. After a very impressive lecture, a student asked a typically American question. He said, “Dr. Barth, what is the greatest thought that ever passed through your mind?” The aging professor paused for a long time as he obviously thought about his answer. Then he said with great simplicity:

Jesus loves me!
This I know.
For the Bible tells me so.”

Our Lord testfies as to who we are in Jesus the Christ.  We are the fragrance of Christ to everyone around us. We are the aroma of Christ to God. Let us live our journey as a thankful people.