Bugs love it and humans hate it. It’s the pungent odor of the Rafflesia flower, a plant that can weigh more than 15 pounds and measure more than 3 feet across! This botanical beast smells like decaying flesh or rotting meat, an odor that carrion beetles and flies adore. Although this bloom attracts insects, it repels people. Its stench is so foul that people have nicknamed it the “corpse flower.”
The Bible describes something similar when it comes to the “aroma” that Christians can emit. “To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom” (2 Corinthians 2:16). Because these people refuse the offer of Jesus’ grace and we represent the gospel of Christ, our testimonies can be unwelcome reminders of the consequences of rejecting Jesus.
On the other hand, some people think Christians “smell” wonderful. “To those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume” (2 Corinthians 2:16). When our lives reflect His goodness, we inspire and encourage people who are choosing to follow Jesus (Ephesians 5:2). Love, sacrifice, truthfulness, courage—these qualities (and more) allow God to use “us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Like a vapor rising from a bottle of perfume, our task as Christians is to infuse the world with an awareness of our Savior. It’s no wonder that Paul asked: “Who is adequate for such a task”? (2 Corinthians 2:16). Although we may feel inadequate at times, the Bible assures us that “Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). Alive in us, God’s Holy Spirit guides and speaks through us so that our lives can be “a Christ-like fragrance, rising up to [Him]” (2 Corinthians 2:15).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 4:23-37
More:
Read Philippians 4:18 to learn about a “sweet-smelling sacrifice” that was acceptable to God. Look up John 15:18-19 to see Jesus’ thoughts on how the world may receive Christians.
Next:
How have you been tempted to ignore your Christian convictions in order to “smell better” to the world? How does it feel to know that the fragrance of our lives reaches God?
Gary Shultz on October 12, 2014 at 6:26 am
It is interesting how smells invoke thoughts and memories. Many times I can tell if a certain person has arrived, a time of year, or a favorite food by smell. Good and attractive smells also need to be maintained and freshened or they can slide to the wrong side of the smell scale. Thanks for the freshening tips.
gary1schelvan on October 12, 2014 at 8:42 am
Hello Sister Jennifer,
Thank you for such a beautiful posting. I have heard of and seen pictures of the flower you mentioned and it’s really quite repulsive smelling they say. I agree with you wholeheartedly about our lives being like a life giving perfume, they are a pleasant fragrance that people want to be around. I believe also that the more we earnestly seek after the Lord, seek to deepen our relationship with Him, the more pleasant smelling we become.
As you said in the end, the Holy Spirit will empower us, guide us in what to say and when to say it, in order for our lives to be an attractive fragrance that draws other people into a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
pjp on October 12, 2014 at 7:08 pm
Truly inspiring, beautiful. It’s really exciting to live for Christ.
gary1schelvan on October 12, 2014 at 9:49 pm
Hallelujah to that. Every day is a blessing and an adventure. As Mother Teresa would say, “There are no bad days, every day is a blessing.”
You are so right pjp, incredibly exciting to live for Jesus Christ, what could be better?