(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. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.)
While driving around Mount Vernon last week, one of the common things that took place was coming across the fowl odor of a skunk. We all have been a part of this wonderful event that seems to come out of know were. Some of us have been so blessed to have experienced this odor to the extent of tasting it, causing your eyes to water, and for some, to even gag because it was so strong. I have yet to meet an individual who says, "I love the smell of skunk!"
Many of us have experience the other end of this aroma spectrum. We have walked into a wonderful smell of flowers or some type of cologne, aftershave, or perfume that is permeating from an individual. What a pleasant and somewhat tantalizing smell. A smell that may even cause us to ask what kind of perfume it is and were can we get it. We are so pleased with the smell we say, "I want what they have."
In this passage of scripture we read how Paul talks about "the fragrance of the knowledge of him (Jesus) everywhere" and "we are the aroma of Christ to God"! Paul uses a lot of imagery in his writings and these few verse demonstrate that. In these verses he gives the vision of a General in the Roman army parading down main street in victory with his captors. In these types of parades burning incense is a major part of the celebration.
If we look at what Paul is saying, Christ is leading us in this procession and through us He is spreading the fragrance of the Knowledge of Jesus. That fragrance is the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is being spread throughout the world through us! Now to some this may be a sweet fragrance but to others it may be a sour odor. For those who's hearts are tendered and open to the Gospel it is a pleasant fragrance but to those who have rejected the Gospel it is a fowl fragrance. In verse 15 Paul uses another word that is defined as "a sweet aroma!" This is how we (believers) are to God "A sweet aroma!"
In conclusion, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we need to understand that we are representatives of Jesus to a lost world. A world that is filled with grief, heartache, and sin that produces a stench that can cause us to taste it, your eyes to water, and for some, to even gag because it is so strong. The one thing this world needs is a sweet aroma that can take all the stench away. That fragrance is Jesus and we are the sweet aroma that is the carrier of it to a lost world. We want people to look at us and say, "I want what they have!" Let us be the sweet aroma of Jesus to our world today. Amen?
Blessing my friends!
Pastor Rod
