The Bible uses a variety of metaphors to describe the Christian’s life and his influence. We are called “salt” (Matt. 5:13), “light” (Matt. 5:13-16), “an epistle” (2 Cor. 3:2-3), etc. At the end of 2 Corinthians 2, Paul depicts another vivid way for Christian’s to contemplate their influence.
“Now thanks be to God who…through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Cor. 2:14-15). Every place the Christian goes, he manifests and spreads the sweet aroma of Christ. Are those who see you everyday getting that “whiff”?
Our fragrance has a different effect on different people. “To [those who are perishing] we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to [those who are being saved] the aroma of life leading to life” (2:16). The same aroma perceived as sweet by fellow Christians and foul by those who are lost? Some folks are well-known for their scent. Are you?