Signature Scent

SIGNATURE SCENT
2Corinthians 2:14-17
V. 14: “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.”

Question: What’s something that you can’t see, hear, or touch, but is more powerful than a locomotive to carry you to another place, another time?

Answer: The sense of smell.

The scent of crayons carries an adult back to childhood. The scent of a particular flower evokes memories that sometimes are too provocative (pro-VOK-a-tiv, meaning stimulating, maddening) to discuss. A particular scent can transport a person into distant past, and bring back memories of people and places long forgotten. Even celebrities have fragrances named after them. Many people become associated with a particular perfume which announces their arrival even before they’re seen.

Signature scent is nothing new. God Himself introduced it into worship. In Old Testament times, people were forbidden to use this same fragrance for anything but worship. Its bouquet was singled out exclusively for the Lord (Exodus 30:34-39).

Zoom ahead a couple thousand years, and check out what God’s using to get people thinking about Him today: Christians! So this signature scent continues under God’s New Covenant through His Son, Jesus Christ. How stunning that God’s kids are the aroma of God Himself to the world!

This gives us pause, does it not? If we’re representing God to the world, what exactly does the world see in us? Truly, this commands that we’re ambassadors (am-BAS-a-DOORS, meaning representatives) of Christ, Himself. Yikes! When we’re selfish, others notice that. When we curse, swear, and use foul language, the world hears that—and that’s a reflection about who we are. When others expose our dirty minds, cruel intentions, or constant complaining, what do you suppose that smells like?

Others measure us by how they view, and judge, our behavior. That’s the fragrance we emit. When the world sees our putting others before ourselves, we’re judged us as generous people. When we publically acknowledge support for another, we can win great favor for that person. When others show love towards us, we strive to be worthy of their admiration. Suddenly, when the spotlight’s centered on us in the world stage, our behavior is under close scrutiny.

Are we credible (KRED-i-bel, meaning believable, realistic) representatives to spread God’s fragrance worldwide?

Take Home Nugget

Because God identifies with us in such a powerful way is truly a humbling experience, isn’t it? Is my life for God a pleasing aroma?

J.D. Griffith

When we’ve been alone with Jesus,
There’s a difference others know;
And to them it’s like a fragrance
That we leave where’er we go.

Hess

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