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Listen while you read: "Grace Greater Than Our Sin"1
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2 Corinthians 2:14-15 – But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (NIV)
In my office at work, I am surrounded by many flowers, but most of them are silk. Although they always look very beautiful, they do not provide a fragrance. However, that does not stop many people from entering my office to smell the flowers. People are always so surprised to discover that they are not real.
On the other hand, I have a mini-rose plant on my desk that is real. I am amazed at how it continues to flower over and over again and how it has such a lovely fragrance. So now, when people come to smell my beautiful silk flowers, I always draw their attention to my little rose plant and let them have a smell of the wonderful, fragrant flowers.
I think that, as Christians, we need to ask ourselves about our fragrance. Are we more like the beautiful silk roses in my office, looking pretty but without any fragrance, or are we like the rose plant sitting on my desk, spreading the aroma of Christ to those around us?
At a study in the spring, the minister explained that she hoped to do a study in the summer on evangelism but was looking for a better word to use so that she didn't scare everyone away. I wonder why we are so afraid of sharing our faith. Perhaps if we think of being the aroma of Christ, we will see evangelism in a different light or scent.
Prayer: Loving God, we thank You for those people in our lives who have been to us like the aroma of Christ. Help us to be aware of those around us and how we can be the aroma of Christ in their lives. Amen.
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About the author:
Ruth McCowan <rbmccowan@shaw.ca>
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Hello Ruth
Thank you for this reminder!!! May God put people on our paths who are looking and needing to experience His fragrance.
Blessings.
Enjoyed rereading your previous devotional today Ruth. Yes it is important that we take the Lord’s word to heart and share His type of love and care with others. We sure would have a more peaceful world everywhere if more people followed the ways of our loving Jesus. Blessings for your writings.
An excellent metaphor, in fact it’s something I think I’ll remember and think/pray on daily, as I strive to BE the aroma of Christ rather than always thinking of what words to say … I think it’ll be easier to think about being the aroma of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control – since I’m often singing the song in my head. Thank you for the ‘silk flowers – beauty without fragrance’.