WHAT KIND OF FRAGRANCE ARE YOU EMITTING?
SONG
When you look around me, you will see my Lord Jesus.
Look around me, you will see my Lord Jesus.
TEXT
"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. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish" - 2 Corinthians 2:14-15
From the above reading, it is Christ Himself that makes us triumph and to manifest His savor wherever we go. That is to say, as it was with Jesus while He was here on Earth so it is with us as His representatives and His representations wherever we go.
I would like us to dwell more on verse 15 of today's reading, which says "Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation--an aroma redolent with life." [MSB]
The Apostles of old were true replicas of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the end that they were called Christian, which means to be Christlike. In the same vein, our lives should be a fragrance that attracts people to God. Our fragrance should not only be pleasing to God but it should also attract others to Him. It should rather not repel them! The sweet scent of the likeness of Christ which we possess can be an irresistible pull toward the Savior.
People should be able to see the Person of Christ in us, by the way we conduct ourselves in the affairs of God and men. There ought to be a stark difference between us and the people of the world. Wherever we are, our presence must emit the good fragrance that should serve to announce the Person of Christ, with the aim of attracting men unto Him.
The Bible says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matt.5:16.
Does your presence in that neighborhood reflect the good Image of Christ, to bring men to Him or does it repel and estrange them from Him? This is a big question that we all need to ask ourselves. What about your school, my beautiful young ones? Whose image do you portray in your places of study and work? The market woman or man is not left out of this. Do you portray Christ's Image or that of the devil?
There was a story of a certain woman in one of our sister Churches, who was living her Christian life innocently on a daily basis. The story goes that by her singular behavior, an entire family from her neighborhood was won over to the Body Christ. You and I can make a big difference in our world today. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can make ourselves to be the only available Bible for others to read and thereby be saved.
Certainly, the gospel has a sweet spiritual aroma for those who believe and for them that are perishing
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, wherever I go, and by the help of the Holy Spirit, make me a true replica of Your Son Jesus Christ, in Jesus' Mighty name.