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Day 15: The Fragrance of Christ (SoS 1:3a)

"Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointments poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you." Song of Songs 1:3

First, we should note that the above scripture says the fragrance of your good ointments and not the fragrances of your good ointments. It means that the ointments of Christ compound to give just one fragrance.

Everything Jesus did when He walked the earth and even His death burial and resurrection was for one purpose only: the salvation of men. He came to reconcile men to God; if that mission was not completed, all the great works He did would've ended with His death. All of Jesus' actions resulted in our salvation. We are the fragrance, the result of Christ's works on earth and sacrifice. You are the fragrance of Christ, I am the fragrance of Christ and collectively the body of Christ is the fragrance of Christ. 

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17:

"God always makes his grace visible in Christ, who includes us as partners of his endless triumph. Through our yielded lives he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go. We have become the unmistakable aroma of the victory of the Anointed One to God —a perfume of life to those being saved and the odor of death to those who are perishing. The unbelievers smell a deadly stench that leads to death, but believers smell the life-giving aroma that leads to abundant life. And who of us can rise to this challenge? For unlike so many, we are not peddlers of God’s Word who water down the message. We are those sent from God with pure motives, who speak in the sight of God from our union with Christ"

Beyond being the product of His life and sacrifice, we have the very life and nature of Christ. Just like when you smell perfume you can tell if it is made of lavender, lemon, rose, or whatever,  though you were not there when it was made or worn, men should recognize Christ by your lifestyle and actions. The Bible documents in the book of Acts that the disciples were called Christians in Antioch because certain characters and actions that were seen in them indicated they were followers of Christ.

Lastly, we are not just trophies of Christ's work and sacrifice or reflections of Him, we are to be His witnesses. We are to make God known to men not just in our day-to-day character and attitudes but by actually preaching the gospel. Just like you don't buy a perfume just to sniff it but to use it, we have been made fragrances not to enjoy the savor all by ourselves but to make Jesus known to others so they also may come to salvation.

We have been given a responsibility to diffuse the fragrance of Christ's knowledge. We will be offensive to those who are not willing to turn to the Lord Jesus, but to those who receive our message, we will be sweet-smelling aromas just like Jesus was when He walked on earth. God expects us to be the reason others come to love and follow the Lord.

PRAY WITH ME:
Lord, it's a privilege to be a trophy of your victory but I know You expect more from me. Grant me the grace to accurately diffuse your knowledge in every place in words and deeds. As I take the responsibility today to make you known and to bring many into the light, grant me boldness and put the right words on my lips. Amen.

REFLECT AND ACT:
  • Think deeply, If you are in any way misrepresenting Christ, make adjustments today.
  • Make up your mind to be a sweet-smelling aroma not just among men, but to God by making Him known to others.

 

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