May 29, 2022

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the [latter] we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the [former] the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

The intercession of our great High Priest in the heavenly court flows steadily from the heart of Jesus on our behalf. The resurrected Savior takes our prayers—yes, even the most feeble utterances—and presents them to His Father. Through faith in His righteousness, our prayers are transformed into fragrant offerings to God. As we seek to grow into Christ’s likeness, we will find ourselves in prayer more and more. Most of us will admit that we do not pray enough. Learning of His character through His Word is the best way to align our petitions with the will of Him who loves us and gave Himself for us. Under His Lordship, we can learn to live in an attitude of prayer throughout each day. Jesus, our merciful High Priest, is sufficient to present us to God [as] the fragrance of Christ.

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. (v.14)

Through a faithful, daily walk with the Lord, His power goes forth to encourage and uplift others around us, as we go about our day. It is likely that we will be unaware of this “fragrant” effect upon others, as this kind of self-awareness has the potential to make us prideful and ruin the effect. Our inner attentions must stay focused on Jesus, desiring for [His] Kingdom [to] come and [His] will [to] be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

As the bride of Christ, let us be unified just as He desires (John 17:21). A large part of that unity is a shared concern over those who are perishing. Beloved, let us not lose heart over being the aroma of death to them. In humility we are to maintain a consistent, loving witness while trusting the Holy Spirit to do the impossible. God has the power to save the “unsavable” (remember Saul of Tarsus), to turn around the morally corrupt (remember Nineveh), and to restore the “unrestorable” (Remember David and Peter). He can do the “unthinkable” such as bring every kind of animal onto the ark in an orderly parade; and float an ax head. He can raise the dead!

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24