Diffusing the Fragrance

"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."

2 Corinthians 2:14

Growing up I remember many products which were used to treat household odours.  In bathrooms it was common to see a dusty old bowl of potpourri or a can of aerosol spray to neutralise (or mask) offensive smells.  "Odor Eaters" were marketed to reduce smells from inside shoes, and Glade made a product to plug into a power point which heats oil into a vapour.  There were sprays which made fabric smell fresh, and the women in the TV ads were always smelling curtains and sheets (pretty weird if you ask me!).  Then there were products made to smell bad, and in my junior high years "stink bombs" were not uncommon.  The smell of rotten eggs was horrible, distinctive, and provided an amusing distraction in the daily routine.

My sense of smell is not nearly as sensitive or refined as other people I know, and this has positives and negatives.  Sometimes I cannot smell things my wife finds overpowering.  A strong scented candle might be enough to give me a headache, but the sense of smell makes eating much more pleasant.  The fragrance of a flower, cedar, or pine are welcome smells for me.  The fragrance of Christ, however, is a sweet smell beyond compare.  God has chosen to diffuse "the fragrance of His knowledge in every place" through those who have received Jesus by faith.  For us eternal life has begun, and the truth, love, grace, compassion, and mercy which was revealed to us through Jesus can be generously diffused wherever we go.

It would be very convenient if the aroma of Christ was as easy to share as body odour, which is altogether passive.  When we have been exercising, working outside, or just on a hot day without deodorant or washing, the smell the human body is capable of producing is awful!  We often aren't as sensitive to our own scent as others are because it is foreign to them.  There is no one I know who smells better when they wash less frequently.  If we want to smell good, there are actions to be taken.  Soap, shampoo, clean water, fresh clothes, cologne, and perfume help people smell good.  In the same way if we want to diffuse the fragrance of Christ, there are actions we must take.  It is possible by God's grace we share His love, truth, and grace without realising it, but a majority of the time this involves intentional acts of denying self and obeying Jesus.

What a shame it would be to poorly represent our Saviour by allowing sinful attitudes, words, and deeds to foul His fragrance.  Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 10:1, "Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odour; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honour."  In Christ there is healing balm, and let us walk in wisdom instead of folly.  Whilst intentional actions are required for us to diffuse the fragrance of Christ - repentance from sin and obedience to God - 2 Corinthians 2:14 makes it clear this is God's work in and through us.  We cannot by the efforts of our flesh shine for Christ, nor can any gain victory over sin by our efforts alone.  It is God who leads us in triumph in Christ, and God through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.  God is able to cause us to be a witness everywhere for His glory.  How amazing is this?