God Does Not Waste His Breath . . .

I find it fascinating that there are only two instances in the Bible where God is recorded to have breathed on man.

The first is found in Genesis 2:7 where, "God formed man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being." It's interesting that although God "spoke" the heavens and earth into being, and He "spoke" and the land produced living creatures (i.e., animals), He did not "speak" man into being. Instead, with His hands, the Creator of the universe, bent down, and fashioned man from the soil of the earth. Then, He breathed on him, and man became a living being. Thus, man became alive with the life from God; he had spiritual understanding and a conscience.

The only other time God is recorded to have "breathed" on man is found in John 20:22 where Jesus "breathed" on them (His disciples) so that they might receive the Holy Spirit. With the breath of Jesus, man became a new creation --the old was dead and gone and the new came to life! This does not mean we are a new and improved version of our old selves. On the contrary, we were completely transformed into a place made habitable for His Presence. No longer would the Presence of God live in an inanimate ark hidden behind thick curtains and accessible to only a few. Now, the very Presence of God lives in men and women, no longer hidden, and His Presence is accessible to all!

But back to my main point...God does not waste His breath...

The whole reason Jesus Christ breathed His life into us is so that we would be reconciled to Him AND so that we would reconcile others to Him. When we experience the extravagant love of God in our own lives, we cannot help but tell people about His love. The "ministry of reconciliation" given to us by God is our primary purpose. Simply put, we are to share with EVERYONE the good news that God is NOT counting their sins against them. He loves them no matter what they have done, are doing, or will do!
What's more, God left it up to us persuade men and women of His unconditional love for them.

Given that God does not waste His breath, we should be careful not to do so either by speaking judgment or condemnation into people's lives. It's been my experience that most people are fully aware of what they are doing wrong. However, they are usually completely unaware that God loves them anyway. He breathed His precious life into us to make sure that everyone knows just how much He really loves them... So, go breath life into the lives of those all around you!