2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Sean Smith

Some of you may remember from a previous bible study I wrote, that I'm a bit of a cleaning freak (that's how some people see it) I see myself as normal and anybody who doesn't like cleaning as the freak.

Anyway... Have you noticed that some of the best smells are often from surprising sources, take for instance fresh toast, who can resist the smell of toast; I'm surprised Lynx haven't turned it into a deodorant by now; the ladies wouldn't be able to stay away.

If you are trying to sell your house they say that filter coffee and freshly baked bread are aromas that help people decide to buy your house, because you are giving people an impression of what it would be like to live in the house. Channel 4 has made a whole load of programmes about how to improve the saleability of your home with a few paint pots and smelly things.

About six months ago my wife and I began to notice a smell coming from underneath our fridge, thinking that our 4 year old daughter had spilt some milk on the floor or something we went about dragging the fridge out and cleaning it up, the stench was awful to the point that my wife was almost sick. We got the Dyson out and chased the dust bunnies that were under there and then got a bucket of water and bleach and mopped under it; and then pushed the fridge back into place suddenly my wife screamed as a stinking dead mouse lay on the floor from where we had just moved the fridge from (no we haven't got mice in our home, we just have 2 cats one of which brought 17 mice into the house in 24 hours once). The smell was terrible and that must be what death actually smells like!

2 Corinthians 2:14-16:

"Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation - an aroma redolent (Scented) with life."

There are many things that we should do in response to this passage... here are a couple.

* We should look at our lives - do people leave our company better for being with us or do they leave feeling depressed and wondering "what's the point!"

* We should affect where we are - as a smell pervades the area that it is in our lives should give off an aroma that is scented with life. Our whole countenance should be one that is invasive with the qualities of Jesus and the life that He brings to our lives.

As we read the bible we see the Jesus made an impact wherever He went, as I see it that is our role too. Our lives can be so grafted (see John 15 4-6) into the vine; that just as Jesus did we can walk around giving off an aroma scented with life. Just as aromas can help people get a picture of what it would be like to live in your home people should be able to get an idea of what it can be like to have a relationship with the living Saviour - see John 10:10 (NIV).