The Sweet Fragrance of Jesus Christ (June 27, 2023)

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-17) (NKJV)

The followers of Jesus Christ been commanded by our LORD to share God’s Word or, as Paul put it in this passage, to spread “the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” (ESV) We are the aroma of Christ, the fragrant scent of everlasting life, in a world that is eternally lost and dying in sin. Through us, who are empowered by the Word and the Holy Spirit, the Father disperses the sweet aroma of salvation offered to all by grace through faith in Christ, God’s Son.

My study Bible says in reference to this passage that every person’s life emits a scent that either repels or attracts. For Christians, our fragrance should be that of Christ--the sweet, lingering aroma of His love and His desire that none should perish but that all should be saved. We are not to peddle the Word of God for profit or any other selfish motive. Our hearts should be motivated by love to spread the gospel and bear personal witness of God’s saving grace.

As living testimonies, Christians are responsible to present the Word of God from the heart with honest sincerity. In obeying our calling, we are to humbly speak words of life and, backing up our testimony, live in a joyful godly manner that draws unbelievers to Christ rather than drives them away. With a passion for leading others to the LORD, we are “sufficient for these things” or up to the task of making Jesus Christ known to unbelievers in a personal, life-changing way.

To speak out of pride or any aim other than glorifying God would be counterproductive to our mission and hinder the spread of the good news. We are the scent of heaven, the sweet savor of Christ to a world that is teeming with the stench of sin and spiritual death. As messengers of biblical truth in a world under satanic deceit, we are to be faithful purveyors of the fragrance of life eternal, the sweet aroma of salvation that is our certain hope in Jesus Christ alone.

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2) (NKJV)