Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The Scent of a Christian

 

purfume

 “WE ARE…THE FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST.”

( 2 CORINTHIANS 2:15 )

In ancient times when the Roman army won a great victory, they paraded their defeated enemies through the streets in shackles. As part of the celebrations they burned incense on altars throughout the city, filling the air with perfume.

That way those who couldn’t see the procession knew the army had triumphed because they heard the music and smelled the incense. The scent became symbolic of victory. Are you getting the idea?


Paul says,

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Co 2:14 NIV).

Forget Estee Lauder and Chanel No.5! Your life should be so permeated with God’s presence that people around you can pick up the scent of it. After all, you’re the most compelling evidence there is that Jesus is alive and well in His children!


In Florida there’s an elegant cathedral with amazing stained-glass windows, each portraying an important event in the life of Christ. And that’s okay.

But the truth is, God doesn’t need church windows to tell His story – He’s looking for tuned-in, turned-on Christians to do that!

“It’s been said that the longer a husband and wife live together the more they start to look, act and talk alike.” And it’s the same with us. The more time we spend thinking about Jesus, talking to Him, meditating on His Word and basking in His presence, the more people are going to want to know,

“What’s that scent you’re wearing?”

(By Rick Godwin)

wordfilled WednesdaytagPlease join us over at The 160 Acre Woods for more Word filled posts!

30 comments:

Daphine said...

Beautifully stated! I loved this! Thanks for the reminder!

Anonymous said...

This is a long section but it's filled with such words of comfort....praying right now!
Revelation 21:1-7 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Prayer Bears
My email address

luvmy4sons said...

Amen. Great post! That is the goal!

Lisa said...

Wow! I didn't know that about the "smell of victory". Thanks for sharing!
Blessings - Lisa

Denise said...

So beautiful sweetie.

Joan said...

Great WFW Post!
I have always loved the way God uses visual references to make a point. Very effective!
Blessings

Janet Benlien Reeves said...

How interesting--and thought-provoking. I can almost smell the scent through the picture. Thanks, Susan!

lori said...

GIRLFRIEND...
"our life should be so permeated with God’s presence that people around you can pick up the scent of it."

You GOT it! What a visual that is if you really take some time to THINK about it!
I NEEDED this today...been a frustrating week and you know the temptation is to STINK like a skunk or a dumpster.....rather than remember the fragrance of Christ that we are called to wear at all times....I may need a shower:)

Thank you friend for the reminder that pierced my heart today...:)
love you!!
Gram always knows best!!

lori

Anonymous said...

That was just so right on. Rick Godwin always gets it everytime.
Thanks for sharing.

Kayla is counting down the days until she is at Grammy's with Grace. We'll miss you this weekend, though.

Love ya, Kristin

P.S. I just realized I won't see you until April 17. Okay, going to cry. =(

ozjane said...

What a privileged people we are.
perfumed pilgrims

Lovely thought and explanation.

Karen @dixielandcrafts said...

Amen! Happy WFW!

Alicia The Snowflake said...

Amen! I love this verse. And what a great reminder that we should be more and more like Christ!

Anonymous said...

happy wfw

Vikki Wright said...

I often think about this, that we are the aroma of life to life or death to death...I pray to be more smelly in a good way!! :-) Happy WFW!

Tonya said...

AMEN, Sister!

You SMELL JUST LIKE your FATHER! What a BLESSING you are!!!!!!!

You reflect HIS image in all you do.

2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.


I want to be JUST LIKE YOU when I grow up.. hehehe.. Seriously, I'm SO VERY THANKFUL to have a friend that points me to CHRIST in EVERY conversation! I ♥ U, Susan!

Lisa said...

What a cool post, photo, and verse. I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts and have witness the aroma of Christ and it's impact in my own life. Thanks for sharing!

Samantha said...

Such a lovely post and verse, thanks so much for sharing !
Have a very blessed day ~

Alexis said...

What a wonderful thought, to be the fragrance of Christ. Smells good to me!

In answer to your question, it's not a birthday on my blog - it's a blogoversary week! Giveaways and fun stuff... thanks for stopping by and have a blessed WFW!

Maxine said...

Oh my, these are sweet thoughts indeed. May it be so in my life. I'm afraid it isn't always as it should be. Thanks, Susan, for such beautifully expressed thoughts. I get the most pleasant aroma coming forth from your writing, even though I've never met you personally.

Cathy said...

Oh, I love that beautiful picture and verse!

Esthermay Bentley-Goossen said...

What a beautiful picture – and the account of ancient Rome is such a vivid reminder of our role as Christ’s ambassadors.

AMEN!
Frankly, I can’t afford Estee Lauder or Chanel No. 5 – But I can smell up my area here pretty well with what I’ve got – Jesus . . . and a desire for all to know HIM!

Lovely post.

God Chaser said...

Love this post-may I wear His scent daily that others will want to know the fragrance. A few weeks ago I was in the store and was asked what's that fragrance you are wearing- o if I could have said just Jesus.

No I can't take credit for the poem- it is a hymn. Be blessed

elizabeth embracing life said...

The fragrance of Jesus...something we talk a lot about around here. Terrific post. I love it.

Renee said...

I read your site yesterday and I agree....

I my quiet time this morning I was reminded of Acts 3 when the man was at the gate asking for alms. Peter told the man, "Look on us." Peter was not drawing the man's attention away from Jesus and onto them. Peter was drawing his attention to Jesus in them. We do need to strive to have "The Scent of a Christian."

Love ya Susan

http://sustainablegodlywoman.blogspot.com/

Nancie said...

Great verse and picture!

I have missed you too, Susan.

Thanks for stopping by and your encouragements. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care!

Hope you have a blessed day ♥

Susanne said...

I LOVE this!! What an awesome way to think of your life... thanks so much for putting it into perspective for me! Have a great night, Precious Susan!!

Tea with Tiffany said...

This is beautiful and quite lovely to my senses. Help us all Lord Jesus. We want to be a sweet fragrance to the world.

Love you, Susan. Travel safe.

Tiffany

LisaShaw said...

Hi Sweet Susan, I miss you sister friend!! I had to pop over and see you. I am all over this message! I love it!! Thank you for pouring it out to us in only the way that you can. Isn't our LORD something?! Yes He is! He's amazing.

Love you much.

Susannah said...

What a fabulous photo... with the perfect verse to go with it. :~D

Once in awhile I've received a whiff of a very special aroma. I feel very strongly that the presence of the Spirit was near. Ever had an experience like that?

(((Hugs)))

Daphine said...

Hey friend!
Just stopping by to say, "hello".

Have a fabulous week ahead!