Name Tags: You are… The Aroma Of Christ
We are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life…
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NKJV)
Heartfelt offerings and earnest prayers are pleasing aromas to our Father.* But the world's most unforgettable scent is the death and resurrection of Christ.
Those who hated Jesus hated Him more. (Have YOU noticed how some strangers “hate” you, treat you poorly, or say mean things to you… without any known justification?)
Those who liked Jesus became more intrigued. (On the other hand, certain outsiders, people who aren’t (yet) Christians, like you and enjoy being around you!)
They’re “drawn” to Christians, like breaths of fresh air. Jesus explains it:
‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him’ (John 6:44).
Therein, the disciples He left behind were supernaturally attractive: radiating a life-giving “perfume”. Therein, the early church grew fast and strong. Through oppression, it grew even stronger!
Actors, models, and talent for Christ,
Consider sweet blessings and hard trials in bearing the aroma of Jesus:
Blessing: You and fellow saints, even without words, even without familiarity, are drawn toward each other like magnets. You find fellowship all over the world!
Blessing: Many people (who aren't YET believers) search for reasons to hang around with you. It’s the aroma of Christ calling them: pulling them toward Jesus, via YOU!
Trial: You and unknown foes, even without words, even without familiarity, can feel an invisible repulsion. You act in kindness. Your foes huff and puff.
Trial: Therein, you suffer causeless derision in varying real-life situations. Through behind-the-scenes discrimination, you may lose favor, raises, and prizes.
But…
‘In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…’ (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Name Tags: You Are… The Aroma Of Christ (Part 7)
* 'You shall offer with the bread seven lambs of the first year, without blemish, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be as a burnt offering to the Lord, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the Lord' (Leviticus 23:18, NKJV).
* 'Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma' (Ephesians 5:2, NKJV).
* 'Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints' (Revelation 5:8. NKJV).
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.