Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 48

February 17;       2 Corinthians 2:15;      48/260(II);       ‘The Fragrance of Christ’

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

Ephesians 5:2 teaches that the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on our behalf was a sweet smelling  aroma to God the Father, as Jesus redeemed humanity from sin, sickness and the curse.  As we share the gospel with those who do not as of yet know the Lord, when they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the Father receives that same fragrance as when the sacrifice of Jesus took place.  The same is true when we share the gospel with those who are not yet saved and they do not accept Jesus as their Lord.  Since those doing the work of the ministry are actively endeavoring to reach these people, their rejection of the work of Christ does not hinder the Father from smelling that wonderful fragrance as we do everything we can to lead them to the Lord.  Rev. Jack Hayford, in the Spirit Filled Bible, shares the following analogy.  When the Roman army triumphed in battle, there was a victory parade for the army and its leader.  Both victors and captives were part of the procession and both groups could smell the fragrance of burning spices, which accompanied the parade.  The aroma meant something different tot the two groups.  For the victors, signifying those who are being saved, the aroma meant eternal life with Jesus.  To the captives, signifying those who reject Jesus, the aroma represents death and leads to their eternal judgment.  What an honor.  As we represent our Lord Jesus, the work that we are honored to do, representing Him, causes the Father to smell the same fragrance He loved when the Lord Jesus redeemed us from death, hell and the grave.  We can please the Father.