But
thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in
Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ
everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising
up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being
saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a
dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a
life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? 2 Corinthians
2:14-16 NLT
A sweet aroma. God’s idea of a sweet aroma is a burnt offering…and
fragrant incense. The incense is a pleasant smell compared to burnt meat and
fat from animals. Our noses and brains are just not attuned to thinking that
burnt meat smells good…although smoked BBQ meats are savory. In the Old
Testament Solomon builds a permanent Temple rather than a movable Tabernacle
to honor God. In it will be the sacred place to offer sacrifices. Here is what is
recorded in Second Chronicles.
I am about to
build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD my God. It will be a place set
apart to burn fragrant incense before him, to display the special sacrificial
bread, and to sacrifice burnt offerings each morning and evening, on the
Sabbaths, at new moon celebrations, and at the other appointed festivals of the
LORD our God. He has commanded Israel to do these things forever. 2 Chronicles 2:4
It is the sacrifices that smell good to God…not necessarily the people.
In our passage in Second Corinthians it is people telling others about Jesus
that create a sweet smell…the sweet aroma
of the knowledge of Jesus (NASB). Do you feel that you are doing that? Do
you spread a life giving message…the knowledge of Jesus that gives hope to
others? In that message are there sweet words of encouragement that seem like a
sweet aroma? Think about the words you use. Are those words carefully chosen?
Others may
accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. Timely
advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. To one who listens,
valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. Trustworthy
messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their
employer. Proverbs
25:10-13
Don't use
foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that
your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29
Prayer ~ Thank you, God, for always leading
us in rejoicing in Christ, and manifesting through us the sweet aroma of the
knowledge of Jesus Christ in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ among
those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an
aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. Help us to
be adequate for these things. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NASB.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 7-10
Happy Birthday Sweet Liberty!
© 2018 Text and
photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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