We are the fragrance of Christ. But just what does that mean?
Fragrance or Scent-free?
Freshly showered, I stepped toward the mirror to grab the first of a few products I put on my hair and face. I started thinking about a new product I’m curious to try, but I have been concerned about the fragrance in the product.
I don’t enjoy too much fragrance on my face, hair, or clothes. In fact, most of the products I use are fragrant free. If they aren’t fragrant free, they are only lightly scented. And usually scented with only natural scents like essentials oils.
I enjoy certain fragrances. Like I love the aroma of freshly baked cookies, brewing coffee, vanilla, and cinnamon. In fact, I can’t wait to buy my annual cinnamon-scented pinecones for the Advent season. I also love the smell of fresh cut grass, roses, and the smell of a crisp autumn day.
Inside information about me: I only use scent-free detergent. I can’t stand the smell of most laundry or dishwasher soaps. Too much of a good thing can ruin its effectiveness. And I hate the smell of canned tuna and bug spray. My husband can attest to this because more than once I’ve complained about a certain sunscreen that he uses that smells just like bug spray to me. And if my family knows what’s best for them, if they eat canned tuna, they better throw that empty tuna can in the outside garbage.
We are the Fragrance of Christ
Through us, Christ spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
As Christians we are the fragrance of Christ.
“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. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, ESV
Sometimes, our scent is pleasant and sometimes it’s not.
To some we probably smell great, like freshly baked cookies. They are attracted to us, to our knowledge of Jesus, and want to be around us and know more. We are pleasing to them.
To other people, they find us smelly. As in, they don’t like the way we smell of Jesus. It’s more like we smell like bug spray. We repel them.
Why does this happen? Because our spirits are attracted to that which we long for. Just like I’m attracted to the scent of cinnamon, someone else may find that scent repulsive. We smell like that which we are made from. As Christians, we smell like Jesus, but this doesn’t mean everyone is going to be attracted to us.
Warning: Too much Fragrance Repels
A few years ago, when I worked in a certain office, there was an employee who we could smell as the door opened. A strong perfume scent radiated everywhere, leading the way for this person. The person sprayed so much perfume on, it not only led the way, but it lingered behind long after the individual had left the office.
Now, because the fragrance was so powerfully overwhelming, we had to air out the office because many others started feeling sick. Eventually, someone spoke to this employee in a discreet manner about reducing the fragrance. Thankfully, the individual complied.
Sometimes, we Christians, can come on so strong, that others cringe we enter their space. They may like us, but they don’t enjoy our intensity. When our intent is to share the fragrance of life with them, we instead make them nauseated. Rather than them wanting our presence, they desire for us to leave.
Less is More
We are the fragrance of Christ, but even Jesus didn’t overdo the fragrance. His fragrance is just right to those who are desiring Him. It’s like the sweet aroma of freshly baking cookies. We not only want to smell the cookies, but we will wait to enjoy eating the cookies too.
Jesus wants us to be like that. He wants us to be fragrant, but let’s not spray the whole bottle of perfume all over ourselves and expect others to want to listen to us or even be in our presence.
Perhaps you’ve experienced being next to someone fully scented too. Let’s remember when we are sharing the knowledge of Jesus that sometimes less is more.
Scent-free Fragrance Doesn’t Attract
On the other hand, always being scent-free won’t attract anyone to us or Jesus. I’ve heard several times in my life from Christians who say, “I keep my faith to myself.” That is living a scent-free Christian life. That is not what Jesus intends for us live. He wants us to be a spark for Him, to share our light, to be fragrant.
Let your fragrance be noticed. Share your faith stories with others. Share Jesus with others. How He has helped you recently?
We need to choose wisely what and how to share the knowledge of Jesus with others. It’s like the old children’s story of the three bears. Some fragrance is too much. Some fragrance is too little. But there is a fragrance that is just right.
We are the fragrance of Christ. Let’s find the just right amount of fragrance and put it on every day. Then let others notice the beautiful aroma of Christ in us.
This November New Challenge is an opportunity to be fragrant for Jesus.
Blessing
May you allow the knowledge of Jesus to fragrant in you today. May you find the “just-right” amount of fragrance to share with others. May you choose to live a fragrant life for Jesus.
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