"In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse."(2Corinthians 2:14-16MSG)
Have you ever been somewhere and you immediately wanted to know what the smell was that you were inhaling in your nostrils? It could have been an amazing smell that you could not get enough of. On the other hand, the smell could have been horrible and made you want to stop breathing all together! Think back to those times. Take a moment and reflect on the emotions you felt when you breathed in those smells both good and bad. Now, ask yourself what scent do you leave behind? When people are around you, what aroma are you sending out? Would you want to breathe in what you put out?
As I was reflecting on the above passage of scripture, I began to think about all the times that I have fried chicken. When you fry chicken or are even in the house of someone who is frying chicken, you will not be able to escape without smelling like..you guessed it. Fried Chicken! The same is true with our relationship with Christ. There is no way that we are able to be in His presence and not walk away giving off a sweet aroma! 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 declares that everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Why you ask or better yet how? The passage of scripture goes on to answer that very question of how. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God! How amazing is that? The passage of scripture does not stop there. Here is the remainder of that sentence, Which is recognized by those on the way to salvation-an aroma redolent with life! Now, the last sentence stood out to me too. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. I started thinking about the smell of fried chicken. Not everybody likes the smell of fried chicken and you know what? Not everybody is going to like the sweet aroma that you are sending off either. Why? Because they are on their way to destruction. But let's go back to the beginning of 2Corinthians 2. The passage of scripture starts off by declaring that in the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in perpetual victory parade.Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ.
Let's be conscious of what aroma we are sending out. There is absolutely no way that we can enter into God's presence and remain the same. Let me encourage you today, my friend, you are to be a spiritual change agent. Regardless of where you go, shift the atmosphere by your presence. Your very presence is enough to create a change in the environment. Let everywhere you go people ask, what is that smell?
Let me pray with you today. Father God, I come before you in the mighty name of Jesus. Oh, God I thank you for each person that took the time to read this blog. I thank you that the word of God will be so etched on their hearts that they will not sin against it. I thank you Father God for what you are doing in their lives even right now. I thank you for stirring up the gifts that you have placed on the inside of them. Father God, I ask in the mighty name of Jesus that you would continue to strengthen them for the journey that you have them on. Oh, mighty God I ask that the aroma that goes up from our lives would be pleasing unto you. Never let us leave your presence the same! I thank you for your sons and daughters. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen!
