Text: 2 Corinthians 2: 14-17
Every being, and indeed, every entity, has its peculiar fragrance by which its identity is established and its presence felt. The nature of the fragrance, whether spiritual or physical, is determined by the nature of the entity. Thus, the fragrance may be physical, like the sweet smell of rose or the repulsive smell of fart. On the other hand, it may be spiritual like the love of Christ (SOS 1: 2-3) or the hate-filled darkness of the devil.
We, as Christians, are the fragrance of Christ and the only channel through which that fragrance of His knowledge can be diffused. We may therefore note two levels of our position and responsibility - first, the direct manifestation of the holy fragrance and second, the active pursuit of a life that purposefully diffuses the fragrance possessed.
Direct Manifestation
When people see us anywhere, what scent do they perceive? Do they smell Christ or do they smell some other being? Are we really the "epistle" that we are called to be, whereby even without our conscious efforts, people only need to "read" us as we live our lives and are able to perceive Christ? Do our lives show that indeed, we have been with Christ?
The matter of "being with Christ" is the core issue here. The trouble with many of us is that even though we are of Christ, we have not been with Him enough since we got converted so that His fragrance has not yet sufficiently rubbed on us as it ought to. As a matter of fact, we still manifest various levels of the foul smell of our flesh and the attributes of the world. Ask yourself, "If a stranger comes to where I am or have been, what aroma does he perceive?" Is there the fragrance of Christ or a thick stench of the devil? Yes, every Christian is saved and the spirit regenerated. But is your soul being saved? Is your soul duly submitted to your spirit under the Holy Spirit or does it habitually cooperate with demons to resist the counsel of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:17). How does your life "smell" in thoughts, speech, action, motives, etc.?
We are saying here that the fragrance of Christ is not automatic upon justification but is imbibed as we live in righteousness before Him, yielding to the ministry of His word to cleanse (and save) our soul from the erstwhile filthiness and increasingly wear His own perfume. The Jewish leaders who arrested Peter and John in Acts 4 already knew that they were followers of Christ (Acts 4: 1-3). But certain definite fragrance emanated from these apostles during their interrogation that made the Jews "realise that they had "been" with Jesus (verse 13). The sad fact nowadays is that too many of us who have received Jesus refuse to consequently "be with Him", maintaining personal intimacy.
Ask yourself one more question, "Have I continued to be with Jesus since I received Him?" If your answer is negative, then it will be difficult to emanate His fragrance.
Diffusing the Fragrance
But it is not enough to just have (or be) the fragrance - we must disperse it. Spread it. Diffuse it.
The knowledge of Christ that we have must be made to go round every area of our influence and reach. We must consciously extend ourselves for Christ's sake. This often involves going out of our ways to spread it to people in places and situations where we might not ordinarily go. We should remember if we, Christians, do not do it, then it will not get done because God has chosen to make only us the fragrance.
It is said of the disciples of old that they filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of Christ (Acts 5: 28). This clearly shows that they succeeded in diffusing the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Every child of God needs to ask himself/herself if he/she has filled anywhere with Christ's fragrance. Every Christian is a minister. No one is exempted. We all have to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ - both to the saved and to those who would be saved. Preach the word. Live the life. Be an example to the brethren and evangelist to the lost. God will direct the out of the ministry.
The Outcome
Our job is to diffuse the fragrance, it is God who enables the faithful hearer to receive it. We sow and water, God gives the increase.
Our text shows two directions of outcome:
To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2: 16 (NKJV)
1. Those who are being saved receive the fragrance as aroma of life. They move from darkness to light. They move from sin to righteousness.
2. To those who are perishing, it is the aroma of death because they reject the knowledge of Chist (John 3: 18).
Therefore, show your compassion by diffusing the fragrance, but the result is left to God. When we do this, God is pleased with our labour of love.
The Endeavour
But really, who is sufficient for this? Is any person really capable of spreading the fragrance of God? Does anyone possess the needful knowledge, skills, strength, money and time to do this work and achieve its end? We must understand that no one is sufficient in himself/herself, but our sufficiency is of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:5). It is not by our power or our might but by the Spirit of God. Therefore, as we move in agreement and obedience to God's word, let us take heed that we do not rely on our personal resources but depend absolutely on God who will choose the best way to accomplish His own ends through our submitted lives.
Again, we must guard against any form of peddling of the precious work. The word of God is not for sale, neither should it be embellished in any way whatever good intentions we may have. Merchandising of the precious seed invites the wrath of God on us while any form of pollution, addition or subtraction defiles it and what is left is no longer His word and hence cannot have His fragrance. Every temptation to admix the message with our private precepts not backed with Scripture must be resisted.
Similarly, neither philosophy, psychology or sociology has any contribution to the word of God but if employed, will only befoul its aroma.
If we are faithful and sincere, we shall remain established as the aroma of Christ before God who is not unfaithful to forget our labour of love.
I pray that the Lord will grant each of us the grace to be cleansed from every evil fragrance and to be used of Him in diffusing the true aroma of Christ to this generation. God bless you. Amen.
Rev. Fikayo Adeyemo
