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THE SENSUAL CHRISTIAN
Read: Exodus 37:1-9
Every good and perfect gift is from above. —James 1:17
Due to widespread indulgence in sensual gratification, sensuality has gotten a bad reputation. Surprisingly, however, God is not opposed to sensual pleasure. How can I be sure?
First, God created our senses, and all that He created is good.
Second, God made sensuality a part of worship. Consider God’s first formal worship setting. We call it a tabernacle, but it was really a tent—a very elaborate tent! It housed an ornate, gold-covered ark which held the stone tablets God gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai (obviously God is not against beauty). It had an altar of incense where priests were to burn a blend of fragrant spices made by a perfumer (obviously God approves of pleasant aromas). It had an elaborate table with plates and pitchers (apparently God appreciates a well-appointed dining experience). Around the tabernacle were curtains made from colorful yarn and finely twisted linen (obviously God appreciates color and texture). Music was a component of worship as well, as we learn from 2 Chronicles 29:28 (apparently God enjoys pleasing sounds).
Yes, God values what looks, sounds, smells, tastes, and feels good, and He wants us to enjoy them. But He doesn’t want us to worship them; He wants our enjoyment to remind us to worship Him, the creator and giver of all good things. —Julie Ackerman Link
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Click here to read the published version in Our Daily Bread.
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