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
Every type of food has its own aroma. The smell of that aroma may be different from person to person. For many, the smell of a freshly baked cake may be delicious and make the person hungry. For others, it may be the smell of sickness and death, because they are allergic to it or diabetic and it would harm them greatly if eaten.
As Paul talks to the Corinthians about being a witness in the world, he points out that they are an aroma. For some, they are an aroma of death, while to others they are an aroma of life.
Hearing some message will always bring about some type of reaction from those hearing it. Depending on whether the message is positive or negative for the one hearing it. Often messages do not directly pertain to the one hearing it, so it has very little positive or negative effect.
One message that will always have some type of effect is that of the gospel message of Jesus Christ. It has an aroma attached to it, which depends upon how the person hears it will perceive it.
Every believer is a carrier of the gospel message. They are to bring it to the world, to every person possible. This message can be brought with direct words or through actions mixed with words.
Although the gospel message is commonly seen as a positive one, it is also a negative one. To gain the positive side of the gospel message, one must die to self, this is the death in its message. In death to self, however, there comes life that is a gift from God. Its aroma is both death and life.
When you heard the gospel message it had an effect on you. It gave off an aroma. If you believed the message, it was an aroma of life. If you rejected it, there was an aroma of death. You have to choose which aroma it will be to you. Then you must carry that aroma to others as a witness. For some they will reject the message you bring, just as others will accept it and the life it brings.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that the gospel message of Jesus will be an aroma of life to you; that you will carry the gospel message to the world; that God will make the message an aroma of life to those you bring it to; and that God will change lives through the aroma of your life in Christ.
Photo by Richárd Ecsedi on Unsplash
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