Releasing the Fragrance of Christ to the World
A pleasant fragrance captivates our senses and leaves a lasting impression.
The Power of a Fragrance
It has the ability to:
Uplift spirits
Evoke memories
Attract attention
As we allow Christ to dwell within us, His love permeates every aspect of our being, emanating a fragrance that draws others closer to Him (Colossians 1:27).
I once watched a documentary on the flower industry in Europe. What really caught my attention were the Dutch roses, the roses produced in the largest factory in Holland, Netherlands.
The Netherlands is the global leader in the cut flower industry. The Dutch are able to distribute an abundance of flowers at a fast pace due to their technologically advanced greenhouses. These greenhouses have electronically regulated growing conditions to produce the perfect roses that attract florists and consumers alike.
The roses are often grown in foam rather than soil, and are supplied with nutrients through the water. The computer-controlled climate creates conditions which promote quick development and therefore quick and steady production year-round.
There’s just one issue. The advanced technology that regulates the climate of the greenhouses produces roses, which although beautiful in appearance, have little to no fragrance.
This illustrates the need for us to continually spend time with the Lord, seeking Him continually. This allows us to be saturated in His presence, and therefore enables His fragrance, the substance of His Person, to emit from us everywhere we go.
Although it takes longer for a rose to grow in soil under natural conditions, its fragrance is undeniable and unmistakable. The rose is unique, one of a kind, not able to be copied, manufactured or mass-produced on an assembly line.
The fragrance of Christ cannot be manufactured. The evidence of His fragrance on a person comes through spending time with Him.
His Fragrance Overflows
The fragrance of His presence will effortlessly flow out of us as we spend time with Him and live in obedience to Him. Without us saying anything, the world will take note that we have been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
“People who don’t yet know Jesus should recognize His sweet fragrance on our lives, even if they don’t quite understand what it is. ”
This reminds me of something that happened a few weeks ago. I love tea, specifically jasmine green tea. This time, as I sipped my tea, I realized right away that something wasn’t right. It tasted bland and didn’t have a strong smell like my usual green tea with jasmine.
I wondered if I was crazy, but sure enough, as I checked the packaging I discovered that I had accidentally steeped regular green tea without the infusion of jasmine flowers. The packaging looks identical (minus the label of “jasmine) but it definitely makes a difference without the extra flowery goodness.
No one had to tell me that something was missing, rather I immediately sensed something was wrong.
Let’s spend time with the Lord, letting His presence soak into us as we seek Him. Then, our lives will effortlessly emit His fragrance, the essence of His Person. It will be undeniable that we have been with Jesus.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16