Stench or Fragrance? It's in the Nostrils of the Beholder...

II Corinthians 2:14-17



"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God."



This Scripture compels the intentional Believer to consider the fruit of his or her life. "Am I the radiance and compassion of Christ that is a fragrant aroma to God and other believers? Am I sharing the fullness of God's Word through the actions of my life...even to those who try to reject it and find it a stench because it confronts and their life outside of Christ? Or are my life's actions a stench to God because they don't look much different from the world...impulsive, self-serving, and reactionary?"


Through us, God chooses to lead us "in triumphal procession in Christ" to spread the knowledge and compassion of His Word, which is a fragrance. It is an aroma to God, an aroma to Believers, and a smelll that can even "grow on" unbelievers who allow it to permeate their soul. I picture in my mind an oil diffuser. This is a glass or ceramic vase that contains an aromatic oil. In order to diffuse and dispense the concentrated aroma to permeate a large perimeter, bamboo sticks (and other types) are submerged at one end into the oil while the other end extends beyond the height of the vase. The oil is absorbed into the sticks (vessels) and moves up the extent of the stick until the aroma is released into the area of that room. Oil can be added to keep the aroma constant. However, if oil is not added, it will eventually be used up and the sticks will become dry...no longer releasing an aroma. The sticks can also be removed and the bottle capped off to contain the oil and its aroma.


What an appropriate illustration of the Christian. We are jars of clay in the Potter's hand, to be molded as He sees fit for His purposes...not one of us is identical...all are created for different and individual purposes to work together in unity with other Believers. Some are more ornate than others, but all are equally valued and loved by their Creator. The oil of His Spirit is in us...an aroma and fragrance to be shared with others. We come to three conditions of the Believer's heart today:


1. The sticks of our life (our thoughts, motives, words, actions) are drenched with the continued anointing of His Spirit and His Word, which releases the aroma of Christ to those around us, both those who are living and those who are dying.

2. We have not been growing in and nurturing our relationship with God, and the oil in our vase has ceased to be replenished; thus the sticks of our life (our thoughts, motives, words, actions) are dried up and not an aroma to God's nostrils or a refreshment to others.

3. We have removed the sticks that are vessels of His fragrance and have capped off the oil...closing ourselves off from the flow of His Word and sharing with others.


Consider your life today...and every day. Is it a stench or a fragrance?


Much Love and Devotion --


Tammy