Called to Be Aromas

Hello again!

This is what God gave me today in His word:

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:15-17)

We are the aroma of Christ; let’s look at what an aroma is exactly: something that spreads to fill where-ever it is. Something which is usually produced by burning (think of a campfire, candle, etc.). Something which different people have different opinions on. i.e. One person thinks it’s the best smell in the world, while the other thinks it’s the worst… And we’re supposed to be that?

Called to Spread

We’re called to spread throughout wherever it is we are. Just like every other type of gas, an aroma if given long enough, will spread to fill any container it’s placed in: we’re told to be like that. In other words: as Christians, everyone should be able to clearly see that we are indeed Christians, and should be effected by how we act differently than the World does.

Called to Be Sacrifices

In the Old Testament, God considered sacrifices to be a pleasing aroma. Well, His sense of smell hasn’t changed. Though now the “sacrifices” are human, aren’t offered at a Temple, aren’t killed, and don’t take away/signify the taking away of sin… Even so, the similarities between sacrifices being ‘pleasing aromas’ to God, and our being ‘aromas’ can’t be overlooked. Not only that, but this is what Paul says on the matter:

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-5)

Called to Be Ridiculed

To some we are the smell of life, to others, the smell of death. Those who think we’re the smell of life, may love us, but consequently, those who think we’re the smell of death will hate us. And they, therefore, will likely mock us.

Let’s review these three things… And see if they don’t spring a certain person to mind:

1. Called to Spread
2. Called to Be Sacrifices
3. Called to Be Ridiculed

Jesus (the) Christ started Christianity; forget about spreading it! He was a sacrifice, and yes, He was ridiculed. We are called to be like Him; He is our perfect example. Though we can never be anywhere near what Jesus was, we are still to grow into His image. — Jesus says it better than I do:

²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

You are Loved!

Joshua Cleveland