But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume… — 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NLT
I have been to some Middle Eastern countries, such as Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Each time I visit these countries; I spend time in their souk (local markets) especially those that sell or specialise in perfumes and spices.
These Arab countries are experts in producing fantastic fragrances to the extent that you’re spoilt for choice when you visit their shops. In fact, the scent of the fragrances from the shops can be so strong that I sometimes come down with headaches when I stay there too long.
Some fragrances are so rich that they can last for hours on the skin, clothes or in the house. You can tell if a person you know very well has been in a particular place by the perfume they wear.
Through the apostles and believers in general, God spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him and makes Himself known to everyone. Believers in Christ are the good scent of Christ for God.
The preaching of the gospel in effect, has a twofold outcome or consequences. It signifies one thing among those who are being saved, and something altogether different among those who are perishing. To those who accept the gospel, it is a promise of a wonderful and glorious future; to others, it is a sign of doom or disaster. But the truth is that God is glorified in either case, for to Him it is the fragrance of grace in the one case and of justice in the other.
It is interesting that the Apostle Paul would use the analogy of a sweet fragrance to describe believers and the gospel. Looking at the early church, the apostles preached the gospel wherever they went, and thousands received it with joy and saw it as a life-transforming message. However, the same gospel message was a revolting stench or a foul odour to those who hated Jesus and His message leading to the persecution of the apostles.
Today, followers of Jesus Christ who preach the gospel diffuse a sweet fragrance wherever they go and those being saved or who identify with them are full of joy. But those who are haters of the gospel, believers and the gospel message are a bad smell to them, and this has led to some believers also facing persecution.
Even though some would find the gospel message offensive, believers should be encouraged and carry on preaching the good news. Believers should see it as a privilege that God would use them to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 