Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. -2 Corinthians 2:15 (NLT)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. -2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Our very lives, in each step and word and thought and deed, are our fragrant offerings to the Lord. Do we wish to make it pleasant, or make it stink?
Our lives are also fragrant here to others around us. When you think of it that way, it might help you remember or be more aware of the effect you have on others…even strangers.
One agent is well-known for making sure to give anyone she would meet a smile and hello, for it could be the only nice thing they would encounter that day. And that single kindness could be the blessing to keep them from going to darker places. In that kindness, God works through us.
The opposite of this is when we let our flesh take over and we lose our tempers in a nonproductive manner, or other unkindnesses. The world gets a very different scent from us…one that will definitely repel any who might’ve looked to us as a possible example of a Christian.
But it’s not too late! Part of the Christian walk is humility and recovery from a fall with God’s help. When others see you stink it up and stumble, be sure to give God the glory as you take His outstretched hand and get back on His path. Extend the grace and humility that your flesh would rather not give.
And for some people, even the pleasant fragrance of a Christian who is walking God’s path is repulsive. Pray for them. We are charged to bring as many to Christ as we can, and nothing is importable to him who believes!
This Our Daily Bread devotional video shows us how it’s often the little things we do that make a big difference in others’ lives…and make Him known:
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