Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.
There is an old proverb that I used to tell my kids. "It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation but only a moment to ruin one."
Christians spend their life creating a life witness of their faith in Christ. Yet one stinking, filthy, sin can ruin that lifetime of witness building in the eyes of the world. Thankfully God's vision is not blocked by time like ours and the world's is. He sees all of time and looks past my stinking, filthy, sin and sees back even further. Looking back He sees the cleansing power of the blood of Christ that washes away our stench. This explains His forgiveness, mercy, and grace. However, as we are here on this earth to be a vision of Christ for others, we must be cautious of our lives. The world doesn't see past the filth. Dead flies make a perfumers oil stink. It hides the fragrant smell with the stench of decay. Our sin covers our witness with the testimony of foolishness. Foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor in the gravity of time. (Matthew 5:16 let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ) Our witness of Christ must be more than 2 - 3 hours a week for it to overcome the weight of our sin. (Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.) We should strive to LIVE a LIFE that lifts up Jesus. Not exist in a life of moments that lift up Jesus. For us to show our good works that overcome our sins in the eyes of others, it must be a consistent life of works not a work here and there. This of course is separate from our salvation. However, it can be a bridge to others. John 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
Is your life and are your works lifting up Christ or is your sin causing others to not see past the stinch of your life so as to see Christ?
Love Bro. Scott