Christian Senses :: To Smell

The Bible talks about two kinds of smell, namely the stench of death and the aroma of life (2 Corinthians 2:16). Apostle Paul writes that as ministers of the New Covenant (i.e., followers of Christ), we are a sweet savour (aroma) of Christ unto God and the aroma of life unto those who have life, but the smell of death to those who are dying (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). In other words, as Christians we must smell. Yes you read that right! We must smell.

But what must we smell like?

To God, we must be the sweet-smelling savor of Christ. What is this savour of Christ? It is the aroma of A sacrifice. Jesus gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor (Ephesians 5:2). Likewise, our lives must be an offering and a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2), with an aroma that is sweet-smelling to God.

Now to men, what kind of a smell are we, when we bring the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ? If you liken the good news to a rose and it is presented to someone, some would smell the fragrance of the rose and enjoy it while others may complain about the thorns that can prick them. The same is true when we present the Rose of Sharon (Jesus Christ) to others. Those who are in Christ, will perceive him to be the aroma of life while others who are have not believed in Him or who outrightly reject/deny Him will perceive such knowledge to be the smell of death, when it pricks their conscience. Irrespective of what one perceives, we are to present Jesus Christ and live a life of service unto God and man, so that we are a sweetsmelling aroma to God.

Point(s) to ponder:
1. If God was to smell you/me today, what would we smell like? Stench or Aroma?
2. Are/I you willing to present the Rose of Sharon, Jesus Christ, to those around us?

Ephesians 5:2 (KJV)
² And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (KJV)
¹⁴ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
¹⁵ For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
¹⁶ To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?