“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His 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; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.” (II Corinthians 2: 14-16)
Our last post was about bringing our salvation to its ultimate conclusion which is for us to become more Christ like in our earthly life. And how this Christ likeness needs to affect our family, friends, and others.
The verse says a born again person is the fragrance of Christ among both the people “who are perishing” (a lost person) and “those who are being saved” (born again person). This “sweet aroma” is sensed by both classes as we interact with them in our daily lives. Those who are perishing are described by the Holy Spirit as ‘dead” in the sense of “dead in your trespasses and sins”. Their human spirit is dead and that is one reason they need to be born again. Ephesians 2:1-3 describes people in this state and includes us prior to coming to Christ.
Following is a note my wife had written in the page border to accompany this scripture. May it bless and encourage you:
“I am not just the bearer of the aroma or incense but I am the incense myself. I am the means by which the effect is registered on both classes if the knowledge of Christ is going forth thru my life. I must move amongst men , in Christ (walking in the experiential knowledge of the truth) having learned the truth of the knowledge of Him thru various trials, tests, fires and experiences and thereby becoming a living expression of it. A ministration of Christ comes as a result.”
May you leave the aroma of Christ where ever you go today and every day. May God’s children be encouraged by interacting with you and may those that are perishing see something that is missing in their lives.
Carl
Psalm 119: 38 