The fragrance of apple blossoms is pleasant, creating emotions of love. Lilac blossoms are amazing to see and sense.
The immediate desire is to share the experiences with others. This experience is a picture of knowing God. We can’t help but want to tell others about Him, spreading love, joy and peace.
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ … and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Flower aromas can also remind us of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins as a fragrant offering to God.
“Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2
We can be a fragrance to God. In Christ, our service is the aroma of Christ to God among those who are receptive to His word. To them, Christ’s sacrifice is the aroma of everlasting life.
“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved … a fragrance from life to life. “ 2 Corinthians 2:15a
We are unworthy in ourselves to be such an aroma, but “we speak in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:17). One would think that all would be attracted to this fragrance. However, that is not true.
“and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death.” 2 Corinthians 2:15b
To the perishing, the sacrifice is only an aroma of death, and they are repulsed by it. So we can expect to be disliked by some. However, we share the gospel as we are called with “confidence that we have through Christ toward God” (2 Corinthians 3:4). The ministry of the Spirit comes with much glory because it is everlasting, giving us hope, freedom and boldness. The Spirit enables our fragrance to be fruitful.
Go forward and serve one another with love as the aroma of Christ to God!
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