Which Aroma?
Read the Text: 2 Corinthians 2
Memorize the Text:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
(2 Corinthians 5:17, CSB)
Consider the Text: 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
It amazes me how impactful aromas can be. Some fragrances can exist as both pleasant and unpleasant at the same time. I think about certain colognes or perfumes that some people believe are wonderful while others cannot stand the scent. The difference in the scent occurs in the various people smelling the aroma. The apostle Paul used this imagery to speak of the reception of the gospel he declared. The apostle stated that some heard the gospel as a sweet scent of life while others smelled the gruesome state of death. The same truth remains today when we share Christ.
THE UNPLEASANT AROMA OF DEATH
Paul declared the gospel in faithfulness. He did not allow the response or threats to deter him from sharing the message of hope and life. He did not occupy himself with the response of the people but dedicated himself to the practice of sharing Jesus. Unfortunately, this act led some people to hear the gospel's message and reject the invitation. Often this negative response came accompanied by various threats, beatings, and imprisonment. To these individuals who responded negatively, the aroma of the gospel existed as the stench of death.
The stench of death exists because of sin in one’s life. Sin demands a penalty. The penalty for sin is death. Sin stains an individual with filthiness and places upon them the lasting stench of death. Death consists of eternal separation from God in a place called hell and the eternal experiencing God’s wrath. The description of hell provided by Jesus details the horrendous aroma of eternal death. This aroma comes to one who rejects the gospel. Thus, they become defined by the aroma of death.
THE PLEASANT AROMA OF LIFE
When some of Paul’s audience heard the gospel, they responded to the message with acceptance. The receiving of the gospel changed the aroma from the stench of death to the sweetness of eternal life—the same message with two different responses. When one received the message, they symbolically underwent a spiritual bath that removed the stench and replaced it with the scent of real life in Christ. The stain of sin becomes extent. The sweetness of the fragrance comes as the promise of a land of milk and honey, the place of eternal dwelling with the Lord and living in his promised blessing. Thus, when one receives Jesus as Lord and Savior, the stench of death disappears, and the fragrance of life appears.
Every person has an aroma. Either people have the stench of death or the sweet smell of life. The difference between the two eternal scents is what one does with Jesus. When one rejects the offering of life in Christ, they permeate death's stench. When one receives the offering of life in Christ, they have the sweet smell of life. What is your aroma? The stench of death or the sweetness of life?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
