Steven A. Bush - August 9, 2020
The Sweet Fragrance of Christ
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 says: "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?" (ESV) So you are a believer in Christ. You tell others about Him, try to follow after Him, seek to be Christlike in all you do. In some cases you're applauded for being a believer. But in other instances you're mocked, ostracized, and rejected. To God, fellow believers, and those being saved, you're a sweet fragrance, but to those who are perishing, you're a putrid stench! You smell like roadkill or something worse! If you're a sweet fragrance to God, you won't past the smell test by those who've staunchly rejected Him. So who's nostrils do you want to appeal to? Ephesians 5:1-2 should prove both instructive and encouraging: "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (ESV) Therefore, let us endeavor to be the sweet fragrance of Christ..