SWEET SMELLERS

Now thanks be to God who always

leads us in triumph in Christ, and

through us diffuses the fragrance

of His knowledge in every place,

For we are to God the fragrance

of Christ among those who are being

saved and among those who are

perishing.

II Corinthians 2:14:15

My daughter and I were talking the other day about perfumes and how there seems to be a kabosh on wearing such, especially in church...classes, choirs, Bible study groups, etc. It used to not be that way. Ladies loved smelling good although some at times went a little overboard with the splashing-on process.

Scripture tells us that as we triumph in Christ, we take on a special fragrance that can only come from Him. This isn't a fragrance we can purchase at some perfume counter but one only that comes from a deep relationship with Him. That fragrance comes in the form of His knowledge and has influence on those being saved and even on those who are not.

Mrs. Clifton was our babysitter when I was working on a church staff. She cared for both of our girls five days a week. On Wednesday evening, she would bring them to church with her and would check them into the nursery. She had bathed the girls and dressed them up cute as could be. In the nursery, there was one noticeable thing and that was how the girls smelled. They smelled of Tabu perfume. She too had bathed and a routine of dressing adding touches of Tabu on the neck and wrists. My girls smelled of Tabu for at least a day and how could that have happened? My girls smelled of Mrs. Clifton because she had held them, cuddled them and had drawn them close to herself all the time from the perfume she was wearing.

I must hasten to add here, though, that we must avoid becoming a “stinkin' Christian.” I've known some who may backslide or just tend to take on the things of the world and not of Christ. Our goal should be to exude that sweet fragrance of Christ at all times. Those saved around us will be blessed and the unsaved just may be drawn to Christ, the sweetest aroma of all time.

Dear Father, thank You for holding us in the hollow of Your hand and for the privilege of being as close to You as possible. What a privilege...being Your child...Through Jesus, our Lord. Amen