What fragrance is prominent in your life?

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? ...We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us. (2 Corinthians 2:15-17)

Our lives are to be a fragrant thing. We actually exude an aroma of grace when we are followers of Christ. There is a scent you may not recognize behind that one of grace, though - the scent of accountability. Grace exudes a fragrance because forgiveness brings a releasing of a burden we could not bear up under any longer. A truthful heart that makes the connection with Jesus on an ongoing basis exudes the aroma of accountability - a transformed life always requires a spirit of willing submission.

The fragrance our lives give off depends on how close we draw to Jesus. These days we live in might just mask a 'slight scent' of God's grace, but when there is a deep connection with Jesus, the fragrance cannot be masked. It overcomes the 'scent' of this world. What fragrance or scent is coming through as 'prominent' in your life? Not everyone will be excited, or even appreciative of our life's fragrance when we become close followers of Jesus, but they will certainly notice the fragrance of grace that comes through.

Some will embrace it, while others will find fault with it. I am not a perfume wearer, and I find myself very 'put off' by some of the 'scents' I encounter that others wear. Maybe the same thing happens when a sinner encounters the fragrance of grace the first time. They get a little 'put off' by it because they don't understand the simplicity of grace, or the depth of trust that comes out of that life full of grace. If you have ever been called 'too simple' because of your faith in Jesus, that isn't a bad thing! You are living an uncomplicated life of grace.

We will never convince a mocker. We just live and let our 'fragrance' come through. The ones who appreciate it most are those who hunger for that same simple faith they see in us. They may not understand grace at first, but the fragrance has an appeal that is undeniable. Just sayin!