SCRIPTURE
"But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ, and spreads through us in every place the scent of knowing Him." (2 Corinthians 2:14)
OBSERVATION
There is a scent in knowing Christ...a spiritual pheromone. Paul says this fragrance smells different to different people. To those being saved it is the fragrance of Christ. To some the scent of death, leading to death. And still to to others a scent of life, leading to life.It's the same scent but perceived in different ways. (This also happens when we walk by the perfume counter at Macy's. Some fragrances make us glad and some make us gag.) It all depends on the olfactory senses of the smeller.
Knowing God, walking in a relationship with him, should make such a difference in our lives that it is perceivable by others, much like cologne. Christians are to be smelly. Paul says we are on display and God spreads the scent through us. The reason we wear cologne/perfume is for the benefit of others. Most people don't pick up on their own odor but it is readily apparent to others.
There is a difference between a spiritual scent and a spiritual stink. The scent is the aroma of knowing Christ. This is the scent we are to emit. The stink comes from an un-Christlike life. The rottenness of saying we know Christ but not really knowing him...walking daily in relationship with him. The hypocrisy and ingenuousness of our walk betray what we say.
APPLICATION
After spending time at the YMCA, I'm not afraid to admit I stink. However, to other people at the Y, those who are also sweating, the smell isn't so bad, or even noticeable. But when I go home, a few noses are crinkled in my honor. As a follower of Jesus, my life gives off an aroma. The challenge from Paul is to ask, "How do I smell?" Is my life emitting the scent of knowing him? Does my life give off something that is noticeable and different because of my relationship with Christ? If it is, I can't help how others perceive it. Some are glad. Some gag. If following Christ was easy or popular, everyone would be doing it. For people with different worldviews, the smell will be picked up differently. That is beyond the scope of my control and concern. However, my job is to be sure I'm emitting the proper scent not the stink. The stink of sin, hypocrisy, or an inauthentic faith are not appealing to anyone. It is ultimately God who spreads the scent.
PRAYER
Lord, I want the smell of knowing you, in order to make a difference in the world.
