We Smell Good

2 Cor. 2:15  For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

Everyone likes to be told that they smell good.  The smell of a perfume or fragrance is meant to attract us.  But, in some cases, it can have the complete opposite effect.  Something meant to attract can actually repel or be offensive.  The same fragrance can produce entirely different results.

The Gospel is like that.  The message of truth we bring to people, like a fragrance, will be attractive to some while others will find it offensive.  In either case, however, it is still the truth.

Paul writes that God uses us to saturate and attract the world with the fragrant, sweet-smelling message of our Savior Jesus Christ.  The end result will produce literally (eternal) life or death to those who hear it.  Some will find it attractive and receive it while others will find it offensive and reject it.  It is so very important, therefore, that what we say be spoken in sincerity (v. 17), never for our own personal gain, but rather only with the purest of motives or intentions.  In a manner that is well-pleasing to God.  Always being mindful of the life-changing potential of our message.  We are not responsible for the results, God is.  We only need to willingly allow Him to work through us.  When we do, I think that we smell good!

Sock Monkey Snippet:  We are the fragrance of Christ.

Follow Me

Mt. 16:24  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

For most of us, networking on the Internet has become a part of our everyday life.  And in this social environment, we are invited by other to "follow me".  Making the choice to accept such an invitation usually involves little more than the click of a button.  The commitment to become a follower (disciple) is painlessly easy.

Jesus invites anyone to become His follower but it is important for us all to understand exactly what He says is required.  This is a free will choice that we make.  We can either accept His invitation or refuse it.

First, we must deny ourselves.  Other Bible translations say give up all (BBE) and forget about yourself (CEV).  This certainly goes against our human nature.  To be self-emptying instead of self -seeking.  To put the will of God before our own.  And yet Christ's life was exactly so.  He emptied Himself (Phil. 2:7, 8).  In doing so, He not only set an example for us but also purchased our redemption.  We must totally surrender to God's will, putting it before our own.  Faced with death by crucifixion, Jesus prayed, "not what I will, but what You will."

Second, we must take up our cross.  There will be sufferings and afflictions that will surely come our way and we should expect and endure them.  No matter how painful.  Jesus said (Mt. 10:38) if we are not willing to take up our cross and follow Him, we are not worthy of Him.  Taking up our cross is far from being a painlessly easy process.  It wasn't easy for Jesus either.

Being a follower (disciple) of Jesus is an everyday, life long commitment.  Nothing that can be effortlessly accomplished by the click of a button or any other one-time event.  It requires surrendering to His will and suffering for His glory.  Sheep follow their Shepherd.  Servants follow their Master.  Soldiers follow their Captain.

The next time you click the "follow me button online, ask yourself, "Am I following Him?"


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Surrender to His will and suffer for His glory.