Air Freshener

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his past Saturday I was in the grocery store making my weekly purchases.  Not watching where I was going, I ended up on the aisle where the cleaning supplies were kept.  There were so many products to choose from.  There were different detergents for clothes, several brands of furniture polish, all kinds of bathroom and household cleaners, and air fresheners that could be placed throughout the house or used on the carpet with a vacuum cleaner.  I stood there for what seemed like hours just trying to take it all in.

What caught my eye and mesmerized me the most was the display of products for cleaning the air.  These came in solids, liquids, aerosol sprays, candles, and powders.  Sitting there on those few shelves seemed to be every scent known to man.  As I stood there looking at the array of products, my attention focused on the powders destined to be spread over carpet and vacuumed up with the dirt.  The vacuum cleaner sucked up the dirt and the powder but left a wonderful aroma behind. In a home, that pleasant odor serves as a reminder that the dirt has been removed and that everything in the house is clean. Isn’t it amazing what a small odor can tell you about a home and about the persons who live there?

The same is true in the life of the Christian.  We are constantly giving off a fragrance to those around us.  What does the fragrance of our lives communicate to others?  Does the aroma of our witness testify to the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood in our lives?  When people encounter us at work, in the shops, or anywhere in between, can they tell that we’ve been with Jesus?

The Apostle Paul in his second letter to the believers in Corinth addressed just this issue.  In 2 Corinthians 2:15, he writes, “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”  Three quick truths glare out at us from this passage.  First, Paul states categorically and with out reserve that our lives are a constant aroma before God.  The aroma our lives are to put forth is that of Christ.  We can only have his aroma if we follow him and spend time in his presence.  Yes, only in his presence can we ever hope to obtain his aroma in order to share it with all those around us.

The second truth is that we share the aroma of Christ among our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Who among us has not been in need and been encouraged and strengthened by a fellow believer?  Who among us has not given thanks to God that one of our brothers or sisters in Christ prayed for us or visited us in times of great need or distress.  They shared with us the aroma of Christ and reminded us that our source of strength was in Christ alone.

The last truth is that we spread the aroma of Christ among those who are not saved.  People may receive the odor of our lives long before we have the opportunity to speak to them.  Through our actions and our attitudes we demonstrate our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  The way we lead our lives is in itself an aroma noticed by the world.  Paul is clear; we are to share the aroma of Christ with unbelievers, encouraging them by our actions and demonstrating the power and love of Christ in our daily lives.

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o, are you giving off a pleasant aroma today?  When people meet you do they see evidence of Jesus in your life?  Do your actions and your attitudes provide an inviting odor to those who are seeking Christ?  Is your life a source of strength and encouragement to those serving Christ?  Paul reminds us that our lives must give off the aroma of Christ.  What does the aroma of your life say about your relationship with Jesus today?