What’s Your Fragrance?


” In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. This is a terrific responsibility.”2 Corinthians 2:14-16 MSG

One of my favorite stores is Bath and Body Works. Even my girls are now becoming quite fond of that store as we shuffle around together smelling each new scent. Some of the fragrances are so accurate that you can picture yourself in the setting. I believe that’s the point. When you breath in the sweet smell of Watermelon Lemonade you can picture yourself on your own front porch on a hot summer day eating watermelon and drinking lemonade. Then the scent fresh baked cookies sends you back in time to your grandmother’s kitchen with a cold glass of milk and a plate of cookies sitting in front of you.We are all putting off our own fragrances with our lives, and as Christians we are called to put off the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Our fragrances should accurately depict the victory of Christ in our lives.

The verse above starts out by stating that God leads us in a victory parade. The amplified version says He shows us off as trophies of the victory of Christ.  He invites the world in to smell the fragrances of His victory.

As the Message Translation sums it up, “This is a terrific responsibility.”  It makes me sick to think that there have been times my fragrance was not representative of the knowledge of Christ that would bring those who inhaled it into the setting of His victory. How many times has my life put off the foul smell of bitterness, envy, pride, or selfishness? And I’m wearing God’s brand!  He has called me to represent Him better than that!

So what’s your fragrance? Is the aroma of your life an accurate representation of the victory of Christ?  If your life was wrapped up in a bottle of perfume, would your label say things like Unshakable Peace, Unspeakable Joy, or Selfless Love?

Everywhere we go, let’s make sure people breathe in the exquisite fragrance of Christ’s Victory!

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