A Fragrance. . .

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

“We are a fragrance of Christ.” That is a beautiful and compelling thought. What is it that comes to mind when you think of the word fragrance? For me, I think of the scent of a rose, the smell of the air after a rain, the aroma that comes from a newly lit candle. Even with our eyes closed, we can identify these things simply by their scent – there is no mistaking the mouthwatering smell of a freshly baked apple pie for the delicate fragrance of a hyacinth.

Just as we can identify these things, simply by their fragrance, so should we ourselves, as followers of God, be readily identifiable to those around us, by the life that we live, the love that we share, our attitude, our speech, our countenance, as we are the fragrance of Christ.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15

The verse above tells us that a lamp will give light to “all who are in the house”. Everyone who was in the presence of the light, was also aware of the source of where that light was coming from. What is it that people see in us? Do they recognize us as being different, as ones who are radiating the light of the Lord?

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world (John 8:12), and one of our purposes as believers is that others may see the Lord in us, that they may see His light reflected through us. How do we do this? By living for Him, by striving always to be obedient, by learning what is “pleasing to the Lord.”

“For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10

Now back to the original thought – being a fragrance of Christ. It is a beautiful picture of our relationship with the Lord. It is also a vital responsibility that is placed on each of us once we make the choice to believe and put our faith in Jesus Christ. God has given us the privilege, the honor of being His fragrance. May we all be striving to make the most of every opportunity, that those who see us may know that the love of Christ is in us, “for we are a fragrance of Christ.”


-Posted by Leah