The Fragrance of Christ

Hi.  This week the Holy Spirit highlighted this phrase to me, that we are, “the fragrance of Christ”.  How wonderful and beautiful, that to God we are the fragrance of Christ.

God seems to love sweet smells.  In nature we have beautiful and aromatic plants and flowers.  I love the smell of flowers and I believe the aromas come from God since they are His creation.

In Ephesians 5:1-2 we read that the willing sacrifice of Christ’s life was a sweet-smelling aroma.  And now in 2 Cor 2:15 we read that we are to God the “fragrance of Christ”.  The fact that we have chosen to give our lives to Jesus Christ and to follow Him is pleasing to God and sweet-smelling.

We are also like a fragrance to those we meet.  To other believers we are a welcome fragrance but to those who reject God we are an unwelcome witness.  We remind people of God and Christ and we are like an unwelcome aroma.

In my own life I find that some people, including those who knew me before I was born again, become aggressive to me and it is because I represent Christ Jesus.  One time I worked on a huge construction site and there were not many Christians there.  One scaffolder told me, “You won’t convert us, we’re animals!” (I hadn’t even said anything!) 

But even if some reject us, we are accepted by God and pleasing to Him.

Maybe you do not always feel like you are a sweet-smelling aroma to God.  But we must not rely on our emotions when those emotions are telling us negative things.  I struggle with this sometimes.  That we feel useless, or guilty, or insignificant.  Our old flesh, our carnal side can be our biggest enemy.  We are now righteous in God’s site, 2 Cor 5:21, and this is a factual state of our being.

We are citizens of heaven, Philippians 3:20 (and it does not need renewing like my work permit).  Nothing and no one can take our citizenship away, not even ourselves!  I love that, hallelujah!

Romans 8:31-36; God wants to share all things with us (John 17:21) and nothing can separate us from God.  Do you sometimes feel condemned?  God does not condemn us, rebuke those negative feelings in Jesus’ name!

So, go confidently into the World as a witness and fragrance of Christ knowing that nothing can stop you.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we are grateful, happy and excited that we are a pleasing aroma to You.  That when you look at us you smile and are happy with what you see.  Even though we may struggle at times You are always there to pick us up and encourage us.  You are for us and not against us.

And loving Almighty Father we are also an aroma to those we meet.  To other believers we are an encouragement, someone to fellowship with and who understands and knows God.  But to those who reject You, we are a reminder and witness to You God.  Those who want to live in darkness try to avoid Your light.

May we be full of Your grace and always ready to speak of Christ and the good news of His salvation.

In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Questions

1               In what ways do your negative feelings impact your actions?

2               By staying close to God you will be a good witness.  Is there anything you can do to help yourself stay/abide ‘in Christ’?  Make a note of it.

3               Who is the Holy Spirit bringing to your mind?  Pray for them and opportunities to be the fragrance of Christ to.

Extra Prayers

Pray for Ugandan politics!