Good Morning Friends,
“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 among those who
are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of
death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?”
(2 Corinthians 2:14-16)
Here’s an interesting image -- spreading the
fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. We carry with us a distinct aroma that
comes from knowing Jesus.
As you drive through the country you can tell
some things about the people by the smells that waft through the air around
their homes. The mint fields give off their distinctive odor, as do the silage
bins, and the cattle yards.
In a similar way -- although not with an
actual odor -- people can tell a great deal about us as they come in contact
with us, and through us a great deal about Jesus. It’s the same thought as when
Paul calls us Christ’s ambassadors. We are His representatives.
Not everyone responds well to what we
represent. Those who are saved do. We understand that what we represent in
Christ is life, real life, eternal life. But for those who do not understand or
who have not yet come to accept it, what we represent is not pleasant for them.
Paul says we are the “smell of death” to them. There are those who will turn
away from us, without our doing anything offensive to them. A large part of the
reason is that they feel guilty around us. What we represent points the finger
at their own sin and guilt.
Of course, none of us represents Christ
perfectly. Even Paul would say, “who is equal to such a task?” It is a huge
responsibility to be Christ’s representative. That is what God has called us
to. By our presence, by our actions, and by our words, to spread the knowledge of
Jesus everywhere we go. What a challenge -- and what a privilege.
His, by Grace,
Steve
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