Growing in Faith
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Posted: August 6, 2022
Author: Kerry Lytle Ephesians 5:1-2, New Living Translation "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." |
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I read that the sense of smell has the greatest potential to arouse a bunch of emotions. Think of how pleasant smells can have an effect on us. It can make us think of family, holidays, and special moments in our lives. A pleasant smell can put us at ease or make us feel peaceful. As Christians, we are called to something similar: it says in 2 Corinthians that we are the aroma of Christ that our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.
But what is the aroma of Christ? The phrase “a pleasing aroma” is found many times in the Old Testament, generally in reference to a sacrifice that God was pleased with. In Ephesians 5:2 we are told to follow the example of Christ, being a pleasing aroma to God.
So, what are the ingredients to producing the aroma of Christ in our lives? The first one is purity, personal purity. This means cleanliness, the absence of any sin in our lives. Ephesians 5: 3-6 tells us what we are to rid our lives of. The second ingredient necessary to produce the aroma of Christ is spirituality. A life without reverence to God or the Spirit is careless and the greatest pleasure is to waste your life with parties, drunkenness and to do what pleases you. The follower of Christ is spiritual in nature and purpose. They are filled with the Spirit and because of this have wisdom and knowledge of things that come from above not just below. Their time is not wasted on foolish things but is invested in spiritual things like praise, prayer and thanksgiving.
The aroma of Christ, then, is achieved by living a life of love and sacrifice. This is opposite to the world’s way of living and its “self-care” above all. Romans 12:1 instructs us to present our lives as a living sacrifice – serving our families, friends and neighbors as Christ did.
We are not perfect, but our lives should point to the One who is. When you walk into a room and smell flowers, you look for the source of the scent. Our Christian lives should point others to the source of our ability to love and serve others.
We must sincerely live out the verses we cling to, leaning on Jesus as we do so. We can't force the aroma of Christ on others. It is something that is subtle and it's just the way we live. It can't be fake.
What aroma is your life producing before God? Is it the aroma of sin or worldliness? Do you smell like the world because you traded your Christianity for things of the world? If it is, it's not too late to cleanse yourself of the stench of the world and begin preparing a new mixture of ingredients that will be sweet smelling and acceptable before God.
May all of our homes, work place, and every area of our lives give the fragrance of Christ. May we encourage believers, and point unbelievers to Jesus!
