Good morning. If someone were to suggest to you that you smell, your reaction would probably be to take offense. I suppose if you are just coming in from work or a workout you might smile and promise to take a shower. But what of God’s description of Christians that we share a distinctive smell in the world? Let’s consider 2 Corinthians 2:14-17.
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
The word translated as “fragrance” and also as “aroma” is an example of translators being polite. The Greek word being translated simply means “smell” or “odor.”
That’s right, this passage says we who are in Christ Jesus are a special smell or odor in this world. To those who are being saved we are the aroma of Jesus. To those who refuse Christ and are bound for eternal condemnation we are the smell of death. That is quite a contrast!
It has long been established that the sense of smell is the one of our five senses that most powerfully triggers memory. It is also the sense that triggers the strongest emotional reactions within us. Certain smells trigger immediate reactions within our body chemistry. In some cases, the reaction is one of revulsion and a need for escape. Other scents cause chemical reactions that draw people together, cause smiles and laughter, make people feel comfortable and safe, etc. The sense of smell is powerful within each of us. It is for this reason that when our desire is for pleasant social response, we may apply certain fragrances after we have washed away others. We have learned the importance of smelling our best.
The above passage begins with the image of Christ leading all believers through this world in a triumphal procession. It says that through us the Lord spreads His aroma throughout the world. But it is an “aroma” tied to knowledge. The key to how we “smell” to the world is tied to their knowledge of Jesus, how they feel about their relationship to Him. For many, the aroma of Christ that is shared by the presence of Christians is the “fragrance” of hope, it is the “aroma” of forgiveness, it is the sweet smell of victory, which means it is the powerful smell of abundant and eternal life! The presence of Christian people should be triggering powerful and positive feelings. It should be extremely attractive and enticing, for that is the message of the Good News.
For those who refuse Christ, the “smell” is quite different. The presence of Christians is a constant reminder of failure, of defeat, and of death. To the world, Christians stink.
Such a thought reminds me of the Lord’s words in John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
Paul asks whether or not we should feel worthy of presenting such a powerful presence in this world. The answer is yes! The reason is that we are not saying what we say, or doing what we do, in the name of Jesus for personal profit or acclaim. No. Instead, we are to be recognized in this way: as people of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
The thing about odors is that they are very difficult to control. They broadcast their presence and are very difficult to ignore. They convey powerful messages and trigger memories tied to events and to what we have come to believe as true. That is, according to the Lord our God, what Christian people are like in this world. An obvious and powerful statement about Jesus Christ. At least, that is how it is supposed to be!
So, the thought for today is to get out there and smell like Jesus!
Vern