The Sweet Aroma That Lingers
By Whitnee Sand
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
It is impossible to enter into the presence of God and remain unchanged. Knowing Him and being known by Him always does a deep internal working in our hearts and souls, transforming us more and more into His likeness. And being transformed into His likeness is what causes us to be carriers of His glory, to anyone we come across. Have you ever been around someone, who after being around them for only thirty seconds, you just know that they have been in the presence of the Living God and their heart has been wildly transformed in that place? That is what this sweet aroma that lingers is.
The Living God is the God of love. So those who enter into His presence are transformed by His love, and then, go forth carrying His love to others, both to believers and nonbelievers. This is a tangible love that is sincere and directly from His heart. It is this love that spreads to every place, as this passages declares, leaving no heart left untouched by this beautiful embrace.
What an incredible design for evangelism that the Lord has given us. This love that comes as a strong aroma that lingers everywhere it touches. But with love also comes truth, because love that hides part of the truth is not real love. And to some of these hearts that this love reaches to, they are prone to reject this love, which is what leads to death, as verse 16 describes.
The truth is that this love is a gift paid and made available to every single person. Some will reject it, due to deception from the evil one, but it is something that has been made available to all, as a gift from God and before God.
Dear friend, are you entering into the presence of the Living God? In this place, you discover this pure, abounding, steadfast love that spreads. Will you allow yourself to be a carrier of this sweet aroma, so that the residue may remain with all who you encounter, and lead them into this same love? Will you participate in this invitation of evangelism, by simply abiding and becoming saturated with the love of God, that it can’t help but rub off onto everyone else around you?
It is impossible to enter into the presence of God and remain unchanged. Knowing Him and being known by Him always does a deep internal working in our hearts and souls, transforming us more and more into His likeness. And being transformed into His likeness is what causes us to be carriers of His glory, to anyone we come across. Have you ever been around someone, who after being around them for only thirty seconds, you just know that they have been in the presence of the Living God and their heart has been wildly transformed in that place? That is what this sweet aroma that lingers is.
The Living God is the God of love. So those who enter into His presence are transformed by His love, and then, go forth carrying His love to others, both to believers and nonbelievers. This is a tangible love that is sincere and directly from His heart. It is this love that spreads to every place, as this passages declares, leaving no heart left untouched by this beautiful embrace.
What an incredible design for evangelism that the Lord has given us. This love that comes as a strong aroma that lingers everywhere it touches. But with love also comes truth, because love that hides part of the truth is not real love. And to some of these hearts that this love reaches to, they are prone to reject this love, which is what leads to death, as verse 16 describes.
The truth is that this love is a gift paid and made available to every single person. Some will reject it, due to deception from the evil one, but it is something that has been made available to all, as a gift from God and before God.
Dear friend, are you entering into the presence of the Living God? In this place, you discover this pure, abounding, steadfast love that spreads. Will you allow yourself to be a carrier of this sweet aroma, so that the residue may remain with all who you encounter, and lead them into this same love? Will you participate in this invitation of evangelism, by simply abiding and becoming saturated with the love of God, that it can’t help but rub off onto everyone else around you?
1 Comment
Loved this ! I have times after being with the Lord in His presence That I all of a sudden smell Lilacs ♥️it's a wonderful peace that comes over me and a lovely heavenly sent.