THE SWEET SMELL OF A CHANGED LIFE

March 21, 2014

THE SWEET SMELL OF A CHANGED LIFE

2 Corinthians 2

Julia Bussmeir

Central Truth

Let's take the time to consider the fragrance of our lives. What kind of "aroma" is our life giving off to others?

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16a)

1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Forgive the Sinner

5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

Triumph in Christ

12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Around the time Paul wrote this letter and used the example of our lives being an "aroma," it was common practice for the Romans to burn incense to their gods. However, the Jews already recognized this familiar language because in the Old Testament the Israelites' burnt offerings were considered an aroma pleasing to the Lord. Paul told the Corinthians that the lives of Christians are like a fragrance presented to God by Christ. A holy life that is dedicated to God brings pleasure to Him.

That sounds easy, doesn't it? A life dedicated to God and holy is a sweet fragrance to Him. How does that start? Where do we begin?

I believe that there are many areas in our lives that immediately give off that pleasant aroma: the accepting of Christ as our savior; turning over our sins to Him; having Him cleanse us and restart our lives that we may experience peace and contentment when we follow Him. But what about my jealousy, anger, selfishness, and judgmental attitude? How can I turn those into sweet aromas?

It's a daily fight to see Him being glorified in and through our lives. These areas are not cleaned up all at once. Rather, they require dying to ourselves daily, renewing our minds, and asking Him to give us the power to overcome our temptations. It is here that, by His grace, He has taught me to be fully dependent on Him. As I trust Him with my identity, I see Him slowly changing me in my areas of weakness, replacing the stench of sin with a sweet smell like roses.

1. What Is the fragrance that your life gives off to others? Is it pleasing to God or pleasing to man?

2. Which areas in your life are real stinky and need to be released over to God? (The areas that you think you have been handling on your own or think you will never overcome!)

3. Pray right now for God to speak to you about these areas and share them with an accountability partner.