Sweet Scent
“Thanks be to God, who . . .
uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.”— (2
Corinthians 2:14)
Author Rita Snowden tells a delightful story
about visiting a small village in Dover, England.
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Sitting outside a café one afternoon enjoying a
cup of tea, she became aware of a beautiful scent.
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Rita asked a waiter where it was coming from,
and was told it was the people she could see passing by.
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Most of the villagers were employed at a nearby
perfume factory. As they walked home, they carried the fragrance that permeated
their clothes out into the street.
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What a beautiful image of the Christian life! As the apostle Paul
says, we are the aroma of Christ, spreading His fragrance everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:15).
..
Paul uses the image of a king returning from
battle, his soldiers and captives in tow, wafting the smell of celebratory
incense in the air, declaring the king’s greatness (v. 14).
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We spread the aroma of Christ in two ways.
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First, through our words: telling others about
the One who is beautiful.
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Second, through our lives: doing deeds of
Christ-like sacrifice (Ephesians 5:1-2).
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While not everyone will appreciate the divine
fragrance we share, it will bring life to many.
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Rita Snowden caught a scent and was driven to
seek its source.
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As we follow Jesus we too become permeated with
His fragrance, and we carry His aroma into the streets through our words and
deeds. — Sheridan Voysey
Lord
Jesus, make us carriers and communicators of Your beauty to the people in our
homes, offices, and neighborhoods.
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We are the aroma of Christ to
others.
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INSIGHT: When a Roman
general won a significant victory, he would be granted the honor of a triumphal parade in the streets of Rome.
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Citizens of Rome would line
the streets and shout words of praise. Pagan temples would offer up fragrant
incense that flooded the parade with sweet-smelling aromas in honor of the
event.
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Paul uses this imagery to
stunningly illustrate the spiritual victory of Christ in securing our
redemption. Having won the victory over sin and death, Jesus is our triumphant
leader.
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The spiritual aroma of Christ
is sensed by the spiritual condition of those we encounter.
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For those who are to be
saved, new life in Christ carries spiritual vitality.
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But for those who reject God’s light, the aroma
is objectionable.
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What are some ways you can spread the aroma
of Christ to others? Dennis Fisher
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God never calls us to do something for Him that
He does not empower us to do if we are willing to do the work and time. Take
the time to get to know God in an intimate way.
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Your purpose on earth is to shine God’s love to
a lost and dying world.
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Open your ears and your heart to the Lord and be
excited about your new future serving Him in spirit and truth.
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God has made it possible for you to know Him and
experience an amazing change in your own life.
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Serve Him.
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Wait on Him.
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And expect … for He is able to do much much more
than you can ask or imagine.
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Settle that sin issue ...
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“Father God, I confess I
am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
I am truly sorry. I
now want to turn away from my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to
You.
Please forgive me, and
help me avoid sinning again.
I believe that Your Son,
Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and
hears my prayer.
I invite Jesus to become
the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Thank
You that according to Your Word, I am now born again.
Please send Your Holy
Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. I promise
to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use me
for Your glory.
In Jesus' Name I pray.
Amen.”
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