How Do You Smell
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Our lives are called to be a fragrance to the Lord and to the world!
When we experience redemption in Christ, when He has captivated our soul, our lives take on new meaning and purpose.
Paul writes in
14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.
15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.
16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
1. The Roman Triumph
1. The Roman Triumph
Paul uses an example of a well known and celebrated event - the Roman Triumph!
This celebration began decades before Christ came and was used to celebrate Roman Generals coming back from battle. If the victory was over troops of more than a 5000 - they held the glorious parade hailing the General as Imperator - or VIctor Tiumphant. They even had a Greek word for this that is only used once in Scripture in this passage.
By the time Paul wrote this, the Emperors had become jealous of the glory these generals received and the occassion was held solely for them.
The parade consisted of all the spoils of war, paintings of the battle, floats with reenactments and the captives in chains proceeding the a lifted Chariot pulled by 4 white horses, some used elephants, others tigers and even giraffes to pull the chariot. A laurel wreath hung over the Victor and a gold crown was placed on his head. A slave stood at his side whispering in his ear - you feel like a god but you are not a god to remind him to not let the adoration go to his head.
Behind the chariot was politicians, senate members, consul, the victor’s family, commanders and troops and people set free by the battle to be citizens of Rome - perhaps they were held in captivity by the land they overtook - this made this Triumph a victorious celebration for them while the royal captives in front that were chained were facing execution.
There would be a large breakfast with speeches and other feasts, one prisoner would be set free, sacrifices were made to Jupiter as everything ended at his temple. In the streets incense was burned everywhere, so between the sacrifices and the incense there were many distinct fragrances in the air.
People looked forward to these great celebrations - they were the glory of Rome.
It is this picture that Paul paints here when he says --- THANKS BE TO GOD WHO ALWAYS CAUSES US TO TRIUMPH IN CHRIST
Imagine - Christ is the victor - but HE IS GOD
We are the people set free by His battle on the cross for our souls
We are also the troops going forth with in battle for His glory!
Jesus paid the price and fought the battle to pull us from the captivity of sin - and has made us VICTORIOUS and TRIUMPHANT.
Christian, is sin defeating you!? Jesus fought the battle ---
The difference between those behind the chariot and those in front is one thing...
SURRENDER to the VICTOR!
Those who surrender to the TRIUMPHANT Christ have the hope of life.
2. Fragrance of Christ
2. Fragrance of Christ
There are 2 Greek words used for fragrance and aroma.
Osme - meaning perfume or fragrance is used to describe what we are to Christ as a fragrance to the Lord and to others like a sweet perfume - aroma - euodia.
Fragrance to Christ is indicative of the incense burned in worship and prayers as well as the pleasing smell of a sacrifice which pleases God.
What is he saying here?
When you walk in victory and surrender to the Lord your life is a sweet smelling and pleasing sacrifice to God.
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Are you living a life that is pleasing to the Lord - an offering of worship and obedience that makes Him glad?
In this - the fragrance is acceptable!!!
Paul also uses the term euodia - aroma/perfume to describe our lives being lived out in this world.
We DIFFUSE THE KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST...
The incense in the streets of Rome would be heavy and thick and the fragrance would fill the streets with a smell of TRIUMPH!
Think today of oil diffusers that spread aroma in the home, or aerosol sprays that eat up bad odors and replace with pleasant fragrance.
When one releases the perfumes - it goes everywhere and makes itself known.
On Mother’s Day I sprayed this orange spray I use in the car to keep it fresh. My car tends to smell like it for days afterward - its the fragrance that keeps on giving. Victoria didn’t like it so much…
It was powerful and let you know of its presence.
This is how the Lord wants our lives to be in this earth.
POWERFULLY RELEASED TO MAKE JESUS KNOWN!
Through our lifestyle choices
Through our WORDS AND ACTIONS
Through our Service to the VICTOR
Does Jesus in our lives fill the room wherever we go??? Can they smell Him on us???
3. Not All Like the Fragrance
3. Not All Like the Fragrance
Here is the thing --- not everyone likes the fragrance!
I love the orange spray in my car - my daughter did not!
Some people love the smell or roses or lilacs -others do not
Some people are drawn to some perfumes while others it chases away...
Should this keep us from diffusing the FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST from our lives....
Because some will find it offensive???
Paul goes on to say -
For some it is the smell of death to death and others life to life
To those in the streets it is victory for Rome...
To those coming behind the Chariot it is the hope of a new life of freedom won in the battle
To those ahead of the chariot it is a smell of being taken captive and put to death.
To those who accept Christ - our lives smell like freedom, hope, victory, new life!!!
To those who reject Christ and refuse to surrender and remain committed to their sin - it reminds them the punishment of death is near.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
Many will reject Christ and consider us fools, but they are the ones headed from destruction ---
We are responsible to diffuse Christ for those who will accept His salvation and Victory!
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
So, my question is -
Do the lives of Christians smell bad to you --- than you have not surrendered to the VICTOR - death awaits
Are you attracted to the aroma that diffuses from the lives of Christians? Then you are being drawn to salvation ---
If you are saved, are you emanating the fragrance of Christ - even if some it offends?