We are the “Fragrance of Christ” - 26 May 2009
"For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing." 2 Corinthians 2:15
A single sniff can cause an emotional response, freshly baked bread; rain on a dry path, candyfloss or freshly cut grass. Our reaction to a particular odour largely depends on our experience with it and what our brain remembers, I’m sure you have a few of your own favourite smells.
At Easter I went to visit my mum in and experienced a fragrance that was totally new to me. It was aromatic and intoxicatingly beautiful, it was a delight and it didn’t come from the duty free perfume! As I walked around the island this fragrance would frequently drift my way, it was divine! I had been to many times before but never in Springtime, I had seen many orange tress bearing fruit but had never smelt their blossom, I discovered the heavenly scent was that of the Orange Blossom. I sensed that, through smell, God was revealing to me the aroma he wants me to exude to those I come into contact with.
There are people around us who are far from God, unsaved, broken. They are not walking through life wearing a sandwich board sign that says "Help Me" but they need God's help just the same. They are friends, sisters, brothers, neighbours, roommates, landlords and colleagues.
Too often, rather than spread the fragrance of Christ I can be a real ‘sour puss’ Definition: ‘A person who complains or grumbles, crab, faultfinder, grouch, growler, grump, whiner, crank, griper, grouser. bellyacher, sorehead. See happy/unhappy.’
The bouquet my Father desires is, of course, ‘His Spirit’ bearing ‘His fruit’ in the lives of believers. My mind reflects that Gods Spirit is: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Gal 5 22:23. However, if I were to replace ‘the fruit of the spirit is……love, joy…’ etc., with... ‘the fruit of Dawn is…. ..’ I would certainly not make the grade. Thankfully this is not an exam, I do not have to pass or fail, but I would like to improve. I draw comfort and hope from Gods promise “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” Philippians 1v 6
I would love to declare that I am an “Orange Blossom Special” but that would be far from the truth! Perhaps we could all honestly ask ourselves the question God has been asking me…… “How do you smell to others?”
“Be imitator's of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us a gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God” Ephesians 5 v 2 |
