Thursday, September 10, 2009

Aroma of Christ

II Cor. 2:15-17: “15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 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.”


We as Christ-followers are the essence of Christ here on earth. God in the flesh was of course Jesus. We also are God’s representatives here on earth. Unlike Jesus, we are not Gods. However, we can be a glimpse of God to people we meet everyday. We can reach out to people where they are and represent Christ to them. Sometimes our showing Christ to others will look like giving food to someone who is hungry, comforting someone who mourns, reaching out to a family that has need, or sharing the gospel with someone who needs it. The trademark of a Christ-follower so to speak, is that they will think of others before themselves. We are not our own, we now operate at the pleasure of our Lord. For us being the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing is an awesome thought. I am now His hands and His feet. Mother Teresa said once, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” That is what it is like to be the aroma of Christ to a dark and dying world.

Paul goes on to tell the church at Corinth that we do not minister for profit, at least the profit that this world can provide. I know there are preachers and ministers out there who do it for the money they can receive. These men and women are caught up with the wealth of this world and their ministries make a mockery of the gospel of Christ. Their ministry is that of prosperity and ease. Paul calls these ministers “peddlers.” They are liken to snake-oil salesmen. The real gospel is that of sacrifice and growth. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” We are to be that aroma and fragrance among the saved and perishing, so we can be that encouragement that people need in troubled times. Why? Because a Christ-follower is a fragrance of life in this smelly world.

Application – We are called to be the aroma of Christ at the office, in the home, and during recreation for the saved and for the non-Christian. It should not be just a job, or a role, rather it should be considered our ministry

Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: Proverbs 19-20 New Testament II Cor. 3

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