the letter and aroma of life
There are two very unique characteristics that the Bible relates to our lives, that of a letter and the other of aroma. Simply put, our lives are a letter, an epistle as some translations have it, that people see and read. The aroma is that which is the fragrance that comes from our lives that is raised before God and others, depending on where they are in their walk with Christ, smell it differently.
Let’s look at the two passages in the Scriptures where the Apostle Paul mentions these things.
2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3
15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance (aroma) rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. 2 Corinthians 2:15-16
(emphasis mine)
There was a well-known author who said, “People will not want to read the four gospels until they see the fifth one with their very own eyes.” Essentially what he was saying is that our lives are what will or will not provoke others to look into the Scriptures and draw closer to Jesus. What is your life saying about who Jesus is to you? What are people reading by the way you live your life and the words that come out of your mouth? Lest we forget that our lives should be a witness to others of the worth of Jesus, we will continue to live in our little Christian bubble.
When it comes to aroma and fragrance, there is something very special about it. In our very own lives, I’m certain that you have probably once said these words, “Hmm, that smells very familiar” or “that smell reminds me of someone.” This is exactly what this is before God. If you recall in the old testament when burnt offerings were made they came with an aroma, and these fragrances reminded God of His promises to His people (Genesis 8:21). As it relates to our aroma before others, Pauls says in verse 14 that this aroma “spreads the fragrance of the Knowledge of Him everywhere.” To those perishing it releases a bad smell and to those who are being saved, it’s a life-giving perfume.
I want to encourage you, brothers and sisters, to live a life worthy of the calling of Jesus Christ as to live a beautiful letter and sweet aroma of the knowledge of God every day.
A couple of questions for reflection:
As it relates to our lives being a letter, what would the title of that letter be in this season of my life? (i.e.: trusting Jesus, laying my life down, growing in frustration) I encourage you to be as honest as you can.
Based on your first response, What is my life saying about who Jesus is to me? What are people reading by the way I live my life and the words that come out of my mouth?
Today’s blog is written by one of our pastors at GateCity Church, Dustin Pennington, and is a part of our new series, NEIGHBORHOODS TO NATIONS. To watch our latest teaching in this series please visit our Youtube channel.
