A Sweet Fragrance
Bonnie Peacock
"For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ"
(2 Corinthians 2:15, Amplified).
As I hurried through the grocery story a delightful fragrance made me pause. I turned to see whose perfume had caught my attention. I did not know her but liked her regardless. She had brought something pleasant into my ordinary day.
It has been said that we leave a bit of ourselves behind wherever we go. Like the lingering waft of scent, a whiff of us remains after we depart. If that is true, what lingers after I leave?
Some days are not easy. As I pass by others it is possible for me to leave the stench of depression and misery. When I am angry or thinking unpleasant thoughts, I must reek of negativity. Is that what lingers in the minds of others? And I thought she was a Christian!
But instead of scattering traces of me, what if I left a suggestion of Christ? Evidence of His Majesty? The bouquet of peace, kindness, joy, and love? An oasis of fresh attitude in the desert of duty? A breath of sweet incense in the sea of selfishness? A pinch of forgiveness and patience? The vestige of compassion?
As an ambassador for Christ, perhaps my job for Him is more subtle than I imagined. (See 2 Corinthians 5:20.) Witnessing to others is my commission. (See Mark 16:15.) However when my busy schedule prohibits my embarking on a theological discourse, my presence can still emanate Him.
What is going on inside me is of vital importance. While I can think one way and speak another, the lack of sincerity is apparent. The Word of God is explicit in emphasizing the integrity of character.
"Whatsoever things are true ... honest ... just ... pure ...lovely ... good report ... virtue ... praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).
"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful" (2 Peter 1:5-8).
The choice is mine. Each day I decide. Will I release my will to His, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work in me? If I concede, my personal agenda, daily schedule, and attitude become pliable to His direction. I am God's voice, hands, and feet in the world. When I give God my day, I must mean business. He does.
Wherever I am, I need to consider: Perhaps there is a reason I am waiting two hours? Is there anyone here who needs someone to listen? Maybe the lady standing ahead of me in this long checkout line needs a smile?
Paul thanked those who had ministered to his needs, "I am full, having received ... the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:18). Their actions were an aroma, pleasant both to him and the Lord.
I want my life to emit a delectable, enchanting, enjoyable, agreeable fragrance of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (See Galatians 5:22-23.), but I cannot produce these qualities alone.
The Apostle Paul declared he could not either. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I not live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
No one can live the Christ-life except Christ! It is imperative that I allow Christ to live out His life through me. When I allow the Holy Ghost to bathe me daily and immerse myself in His Word, a sweet aroma trails behind wherever I go.
Peter and John preached with boldness; those who heard marveled. "They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). Being with Jesus brings the transformation I need. After spending time in His presence, the stench of flesh is gone, leaving the gratifying evidence that I too have been with Jesus.
