What's That Smell (Part 2)

WHAT'S THAT SMELL (PART 2)

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life." 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Yesterday we talked about the smell that we give off as men who love Christ that permeates everything we do. Other lives either give off the smell of death or the fragrance of life.

Years ago we met a couple who served the Lord very faithfully in a teaching preaching ministry. Pastor Bob was a bi-vocational teacher and was called upon on a regular basis to do pulpit supply and interim pastorates. His wife Dorrie was a very sweet lady and was quite the character. There was one thing about Dorrie that stood out - her perfume!

She doused herself with so much perfume that you could smell her before you could see her! It got to be funny, but when we would walk into a church or attend a conference at Keswick, we'd be able to look at each other and say, "Dorrie Boyd is here!" Her perfume was a indicator of her presence and became her mark of identification.

Years ago I started wearing Woodlands Aftershave (Bath and Body) and it has become my "smell." One of our senior friends tells me all the time, "You smell so good!" That my friend, is what the world should be saying about the fragrance of our lives, not our body odor.

Let me ask you several questions:

1. If you walked into a room of unbelievers that you have never met, how
would you smell? Would they detect something different about your life?

2. If someone walked into your church this Sunday (maybe even walk into
your church business meeting), what aroma would they detect?

3. How do you smell to your wife? Your kids? Your co-workers?

4. Does your life smell like a skunk (offensive) or does it smell like
walking into walking into a Cinnabon store - (I want that! What is that smell - it is so good?)

Living in the world and not of it gives us the opportunity to allow the aroma of Christ to flow from us. Tomorrow I want to share some examples of men in my life that have had unique smells! Think about this: we can cover up the outward odors with as much cologne and aftershave as we want . but it will never mask the stink that is coming from the inside! Guys - what's the smell coming from your life today? - Bill Welte is the President and CEO of America's KESWICK. He is the father of four kids, and the proud grandfather of five grandchildren.

God's WORD for YOU: 2 Chronicles 34-36; John 19:1-22

Think about it: The sins against hope are despair, as anticipated failure, and presumption, as anticipated fulfillment. In both these cases man seeks to break out of his pilgrim existence and have his life otherwise than from the hand of God. -- Ferdinand Kerstiens