‘…..we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life’ 2 Corinthians 2:14
It has been a week of birthday celebrations as i mark the 21st year of my second daughter and in Christ and for that I give God praise. My daughter received a host of presents including an expensive bottle of Chanel perfume. When we unwrapped this particular gift we laughed and shared how one particular teacher of hers, a perfume connesieur from Paris would be particularly impressed . This teacher would often comment on the perfume my daughter sometimes wore (not intentionally i am sure but a trite disparaging when she would comment on that not being real perfume – or one she knew…! Notwithstanding, we love her to bits. As a piano teacher there is no one better. My daughter has excelled under the tutelage and this teacher doesn’t miss a bad note – be that in the olfactory or auditory sense.
As I sat in my quiet time this morning (oh how I need them right now) and waiting for the word of the Lord; this word came to me.
Paul wrote ‘…..we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life’ 2 Corinthians 2:14
It is a word for the occupation of everyone as the Apostle Paul again puts it : called to be saints. We are all told to go…
As evangelists, heralding and heckling our craft in the market place, on street corners or even in our writings , we give off a certain scent; we are either the scent of life to those who would chose life, or the scent of death, to those who are perishing and desire to stay that way.
The children of God should have a different smell and scent about them in the things they say and do. It should ooze from our very pores. We are not talking peddling perfume per se, but there is a deeper revelation that Father brings from his word. We are not contrasting perfumes houses or those scents brought from the local Wilko , Asda or a Sainsburys … which (on a continuum) would be a metaphor for cheap grace peddled by a mans name, ministry label, packaging, branding for pecuniary reasons leading many to the pit of hell.
No..!!!
Called to be saints, should know the difference between the pure and profane. We should peddle purity in all we say and do. We are talking the scent, SME all, manifestation of the genuine spirit of grace , truth and holiness oozing from our very pores – made possible…. by our spending time and rubbing shoulders with the one and only living God. The God who has broken down the wall of partition allowing us to see to know the difference and says Come. The God who breaks down all the opposing auras and aromas through our obedience and sacrifice, through our daily and thorough washing and cleansing in the blood of Jesus Christ , his son.
PRAYER
Father, we thank you for your word and that you continue to want to speak to us in ways we can easily understand. Forgive us when we have been wanton and gone away from you doing things and saying things that brings a stench, a displeasing aroma to your nose. Lord , we want all our glorying to be of you – you purchased us with a great price – the shed blood of your son, Jesus Christ . Lord your word tells us that he made himself of no reputation, but took the form of a servant and went the way of the cross for us. Lord, As we walk about proclaiming to be your representatives in this late and dark hour, let the scent and savor that comes from us brings life to those who desire life. Take away our designer labels, wrappings and labels and the things that have no eternal value. Let nothing of us get in the way of anyone coming through to the true and living God. Lord help us to go and to peddle but to peddle your way, your truth and your life.
Evangelist Linda J UK
25/10/2020