THE FRAGRANCE FOR CHRIST

We pretty much know what death smells like. There's no need to paint that with description. But what about life? What does life with Jesus smell like? And what do we smell like to Christ?

2 Corinthians 2:16 tells us we are the fragrance of life. But what aroma do we give off?

In this passage, Paul used the Roman ceremony called The Triumph to explain it to the Corinthians. The ceremony was held to honor the victorious Roman General. On the parade route, the Roman official would show off his spoils, his conquests, his treasures he brought home from war. Including prisoners they had captured. Incense was burned as part of the ceremony. Along with the fragrance of crushed flowers spread out under the horses' hooves. Those aromas were powerful. Sweet. As they filled the city air.

Not to the captives being literally paraded through the streets. To them it was the smell of defeat, slavery, and death.

To one, the fragrance of life. Life eternal, Paul continues in application, the ultimate glorification in Christ. To the other, the smell of death. Eternal separation caused by a lack of faith.

Whether we know it or not, we give off a fragrance. Is ours similar to a burning candle? Or is it more like burning microwave popcorn? Life or death? Glory or damnation?