Sweet Aroma
Scripture; II Corinthians 2:14-17 - 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. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 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.
I watched a Christian related program a few weeks ago, and I was inspired by three Christian brothers whose lives were an influence of a sweet aroma of the love of Jesus Christ. They reached out to a homeless man in New York City. They took him shopping and bought him all new clothes, and they took him out to dinner. Also, they treated him to a Christian concert at Brooklyn Tabernacle Church. One of the Bible verses they used for helping this man was Matthew 25:45. (Matthew 25:45 - Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’) These three brothers in Christ personally cared for the needs of this man. If they neglected to care for the needs of this man, it would have been like not caring for Jesus. We all as Christians have the responsibility to care for the physical and spiritual needs of others – just like Jesus did.
Paul also talked about his life being an influence -- a fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and also among those who are perishing. (II Corinthians 2:14-17) Paul emphasized the two-fold effect of the gospel -- preaching to some the message brings eternal life, but to others it is a stumbling stone of offense that brings eternal death. (I Peter 2:6-8 - Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, 8 and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.) When people reject Christ for salvation, they are choosing to go to hell. Everyone that receives Christ into their lives chooses eternal life - - which will lead them to Heaven. That is good news! Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus!
As servants of God, we have a responsibility. We have been chosen and called to let our lives be an influence and a fragrance of the gospel power of Jesus Christ throughout all the world (Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”) Are we allowing Him to spread His fragrance through us by telling others about Him? A godly life is a fragrance that draws others to Christ. Am I spreading the fragrance of Christ everywhere I go?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for Your Son the Lord Jesus Christ being a sweet aroma that gives life to all that believe in Him. Help us as we serve You to focus on what You can do through us – as our lives are an influence and a fragrance to others about the gospel power that can transform lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Pastor Robert Williams)
I watched a Christian related program a few weeks ago, and I was inspired by three Christian brothers whose lives were an influence of a sweet aroma of the love of Jesus Christ. They reached out to a homeless man in New York City. They took him shopping and bought him all new clothes, and they took him out to dinner. Also, they treated him to a Christian concert at Brooklyn Tabernacle Church. One of the Bible verses they used for helping this man was Matthew 25:45. (Matthew 25:45 - Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’) These three brothers in Christ personally cared for the needs of this man. If they neglected to care for the needs of this man, it would have been like not caring for Jesus. We all as Christians have the responsibility to care for the physical and spiritual needs of others – just like Jesus did.
Paul also talked about his life being an influence -- a fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and also among those who are perishing. (II Corinthians 2:14-17) Paul emphasized the two-fold effect of the gospel -- preaching to some the message brings eternal life, but to others it is a stumbling stone of offense that brings eternal death. (I Peter 2:6-8 - Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, 8 and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.) When people reject Christ for salvation, they are choosing to go to hell. Everyone that receives Christ into their lives chooses eternal life - - which will lead them to Heaven. That is good news! Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus!
As servants of God, we have a responsibility. We have been chosen and called to let our lives be an influence and a fragrance of the gospel power of Jesus Christ throughout all the world (Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”) Are we allowing Him to spread His fragrance through us by telling others about Him? A godly life is a fragrance that draws others to Christ. Am I spreading the fragrance of Christ everywhere I go?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for Your Son the Lord Jesus Christ being a sweet aroma that gives life to all that believe in Him. Help us as we serve You to focus on what You can do through us – as our lives are an influence and a fragrance to others about the gospel power that can transform lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Pastor Robert Williams)
1 Comment
Saints are used as instruments to share the Gospel. Depending on those who accept or reject the Gospel makes the great difference between life or death. It's pleasant to know that angels in heaven & the Trinity rejoice in everyone who is made alive in Christ. So pleasing to all who knows the LORD Jesus!