“For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.” (II Cor. 2:15)
When I stepped out onto our back deck one morning, I was greeted by a lovely fragrance hanging in the air. I knew it came from a rose, for a rose has its own distinctive aroma. I breathed in deeply, delighting in the sweetness, and then went in search of the blossom so I could enjoy its visual beauty as well.
However, as I drew nearer to the, deep-red American Beauty rose, another “fragrance” caught my attention. I drew back and wrinkled my nose in distaste. I recognized that smell, too. It was the harsh, bitter odor of onions growing in our neighbor’s vegetable garden near-by. The two fragrances did not mingle well at all. In fact, they clashed. The odor of the onion distracted from the lovely fragrance of the rose.
My thoughts snapped to a Bible verse I had read that morning about Christians being “the sweet savor of Christ,” and I winced at the question that forced its way into my mind. What fragrance defines my life? Are others aware of the sweet fragrance of Christ, or do they smell the ugly odor of worldliness in me? Do they yearn to meet Christ and partake of His beauty because they see the sweet fruit of his Spirit working in me, or do they turn from him because they see the bitter, worldly odor of hypocrisy and pride?
Lord, help me to search deeply into my life today. Show me any areas of worldliness and hypocrisy, and help me to conquer them so others will see only the sweet fragrance of your beauty in me. Amen.
By Donna J. Howard