the aroma of Christ

Back in my junior high school youth group, I remember the theme we always had was that we were the aroma of Christ. I never fully understood what that meant, but it was painted all over the walls of the building where we met.

In a Roman triumphal procession, the Roman general would display his treasures and captives amidst a cloud of incense burned for the gods. To the victors, the aroma was sweet; to the captives in the parade, it was the smell of slavery and defeat.

When Christians preach the gospel, it is good news to some and repulsive news to others. Believers recognize the life-giving fragrance of the message. To unbelievers, however, it smells foul, like death-their own. 

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and this who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma that brings death, to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is qual to such a task? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ. Let's remember that as we live our lives for Christ. The message we share will be portrayed one of two ways. There are be people who it brings victory to, and others who will be repulsive about it. What matters is that we are the pleasing aroma of Christ.