The Right Aroma!
I love Paul's use of the metaphor of "aroma". Of course, we are all familiar with it, as we can mention things and immediately think of the aroma it brings with it. I won't elaborate on that right now for the sake of decency. But more importantly, Paul uses it in connection with the type of aroma we give off as believers. Like an aroma gets the attention of those around it, so as Christians we exude an aroma by the way we live and how we follow Christ.
And it will have an effect n those around us as well. To other believers God's work is pleasant, encourages them and draws them closer to Christ. But to those who are still living as slaves to the world, we "stink". What do I mean by this? When someone is living out their Christian in faith in public ways, those who are moving away from God will be convicted by their lack of faith or wavering faith. They will think of these believers as holier than thou, and hypocritical even if they are not acting in ways contrary to what they believe. Of course, Jesus doesn't call us to be these either. I heard of one pastor who said, that even though he didn't say or do anything, the people knew he was a pastor and was shunned by them.
As Paul says, "we are not peddling the Word of God for profit". Meaning we don't superficially try to act Christian for personal gain. But yet we sincerely live out our faith, albeit sometimes in public settings in obedience to God's call. When we are put in compromising situations where we are challenged, St. Luke even says the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. (Luke 12:12)
Without getting too personal, I would ask you what kind of aroma do you think you are giving off? And this is not something you manufacture on your own, but as we abide in Christ, we will bear much fruit. And we all know that fruit smells good. As we are led by the Holy Spirit we exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit, "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control." And as people sense this pleasant aroma, they will be drawn to God by not just by what we say, but who we are!
2 Corinthians 2:12-17
Ministers of the New Covenant
12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
And it will have an effect n those around us as well. To other believers God's work is pleasant, encourages them and draws them closer to Christ. But to those who are still living as slaves to the world, we "stink". What do I mean by this? When someone is living out their Christian in faith in public ways, those who are moving away from God will be convicted by their lack of faith or wavering faith. They will think of these believers as holier than thou, and hypocritical even if they are not acting in ways contrary to what they believe. Of course, Jesus doesn't call us to be these either. I heard of one pastor who said, that even though he didn't say or do anything, the people knew he was a pastor and was shunned by them.
As Paul says, "we are not peddling the Word of God for profit". Meaning we don't superficially try to act Christian for personal gain. But yet we sincerely live out our faith, albeit sometimes in public settings in obedience to God's call. When we are put in compromising situations where we are challenged, St. Luke even says the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. (Luke 12:12)
Without getting too personal, I would ask you what kind of aroma do you think you are giving off? And this is not something you manufacture on your own, but as we abide in Christ, we will bear much fruit. And we all know that fruit smells good. As we are led by the Holy Spirit we exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit, "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control." And as people sense this pleasant aroma, they will be drawn to God by not just by what we say, but who we are!
2 Corinthians 2:12-17
Ministers of the New Covenant
12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
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