"Fragrance Free?"

“Fragrance Free?”

(Another cooperative venture with Karen)

I recently took one of our vehicles to a local car wash. When it was done the attendant asked if I’d like the inside sprayed with a scented mist. I chose one—and I had to leave the windows open for several days to get the strong smell out! And when Karen and I walk through a mall we try to avoid getting too close to stores selling strongly scented items (candles, perfumes, etc.) as allergies make us prone to headaches. As with foods, too much of something pleasant can have negative effects. So we usually buy fragrance free products when they’re available.

Numerous times in the Old Testament it’s stated that an offering to God was “…an aroma pleasing to the Lord.” (e.g. Leviticus 1:9,13,17), indicating He took delight in His people’s heartfelt worship. It was also a picture of Christ who “…gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2). And Paul used this imagery in thanksgiving for the gifts his friends at Philippi sent while he was under house arrest in Rome (“They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”—Philippians 4:18).

The Romans borrowed this idea for parades honoring generals who led their armies to victory. As the victors and vanquished made their way through the streets of Rome the pagan priests offered incense in celebration. Paul applied this practice to the believers of his day and in turn to us when he wrote, “…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. For we are to God the aroma of Christ….” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). So God doesn’t want us to be fragrance free—He expects us to emit the aroma of His presence in and through our lives. The question is, what scent are we bringing to the world He’s called us to influence?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim and Karen McMillan