A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 2 NO. 53                                        February 19, 2006

WHAT IS THAT SMELL?

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and 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.  To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.  And who is sufficient for these things?” (II Corinthians 2:14-16).

Paul describes the knowledge of Christ as a fragrance in this passage.  In particular Paul is describing himself as a sweet smell pleasing to God.  The reason for this sweet aroma was Paul's faithfulness in preaching the gospel.

In a Roman procession the leader was followed by priests who dispersed incense, officers, soldiers and those who had been captured by the soldiers.  The aroma of the incense represented victorious life to the soldiers and slavery or death to the ones captured.  In the same way, the good news of Jesus Christ, the gospel of Christ, gives life and is a “sweet aroma” to those who accept it and obey it.  On the other hand, this same message of the good news of Jesus Christ, the gospel of Christ, represents destruction and rejection to those who do not accept it and obey it.  This is obviously an annoying odor much as the odor of a decaying body that is without life and not prepared for a proper burial.

What odor am I expelling?  If I have not obeyed the gospel of Christ by repenting of my sins (Acts 2:38), confessing that He is the Son of God (Romans 10:10), and being baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27) then I am not an appealing aroma to God.  Many expel this aroma because of loyalty to grandparents, parents or others who they feel they will betray if they obey the gospel of Christ.  It may be that someone who was influential to them believed that Christ was the Son of God but did not obey His commandments.  Instead they obeyed another form of doctrine that is foreign to the words found in the New Testament.  As a result they continue to cast an odor that is unpleasant to the Almighty God.

There are those who have obeyed the form of doctrine Romans 6:17 speaks of.  However, after obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ they have failed to remain faithful to their commitment (Revelation 2:10; I Corinthians 15:58).  As a result they have fallen even though they think they are standing (I Corinthians 10:12).  One such as this might even be occupying the pew at all the worship services but may be worshipping in vain because their heart is not right with God.  It could be that their speech is not as it should be or their priorities are not according to what God commands (Matthew 6:33).  There is a possibility that it could even be a preacher who is thinking more of himself than he should and is leading others away because of them “following him” instead of the gospel of Christ (Galatians 6:3).

Today one who has obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ must be as aware of their aroma to God just as those were in the first century who obeyed this same gospel.  James tells us in the 2nd chapter that man is not justified by faith alone.  Yet, today just as in the first century there seems to be some who believe that by just obeying the gospel it is enough for them to be heaven bound.  Yet, it takes faith and works to receive the mercy God has promised us.  If one holds the thought that they can get to heaven with a minimal effort they have failed to understand what James says in that 2nd chapter.  Certainly the aroma of the ones who are trying to get by with a minimal effort is not pleasing to the God of heaven.  What is the aroma that I am expelling?