Do I Smell?

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.     -2 Corinthians 2:14-17

I can’t believe it is September.  Fall is approaching and soon the leaves will be changing.  I know some of you may not understand my excitement, but you see, Fall is my favorite season and for the last two years I have lived in Florida where the leaves don’t change and you don’t get to experience the wonderful fresh smell of Fall.

When I would tell my friends in Florida that Fall has a smell, they would look at me as if I had something strange growing from my head.  Fall does have a smell.  It’s dried leaves, and smoke from bonfires.  It’s pumpkin spice candles, and apple cinnamon.  The smell of gives me comfort.  Now, I know for others, the smell of Fall is just a reminder that winter is coming and along with it, ice and cold.  

Our scripture today is similar.  2 Corinthians 2 says that we are the aroma of Christ.  To some we will be the scent of death, to others the aroma of life.  What this is saying is that we should be so different from the world that it will be a comfort to some and a conviction to others.  

Just like Fall can’t control how it smells, it is not our job to smell good to the world.  It is our job to smell like Christ.

Sweet Smell of Christ

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)  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.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

In the margin in my Bible, next to 2 Corinthians 14, is the question, "Do you stink?" There was nothing else, no further explanation, only those three words forming that question. I had to find out more about this comment so I opened the Life Application Bible Notes to see what I could find.

Romans triumphal processionals would include displaying all their captives and any treasures amidst a cloud of incense burned to their gods. To those who were the victors, the smell was sweet but to the captives in the parade it smelled like slavery and death.

I remember those days in Catholic Church when observing a special feast day; incense was often part of the service. I can still smell the awful ‘stink’ that hung in the air as the procession moved up the aisle toward the altar. I admit, it is difficult to be around people or things that don't smell so sweet. Truth is that could be any one of us on any given day if our deodorant fails, or if we stumble into something foul smelling.

I am reminded that my behavior or my attitude on any given day could be just as offensive as any strange odor I might share. Something to think about this morning; what fragrance are you leaving in your wake? Will Jesus smile when He gets a whiff?

2 Corinthians 2