Lenten Meditation: February 22, 2024
Daily Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing: to the one group a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. — 1 Corinthians 2:15-16
Two people describing the same event may have different accounts. For instance, two witnesses of an accident may offer contradicting details.
It is that way in all of life. Some people view trials as a curse, others see them as an opportunity. Likewise, some view the Christian life as a “burden to carry,” while others view it as a privilege to celebrate. Reflect on how you perceive these things.
Believers are like sweet perfume, spreading the knowledge of Christ everywhere. Their lives emit a Christ-like fragrance that rises to God. Different smells capture our attention, some negative and others positive.
Paul warns us that not everyone is going to like what they smell in the believer. What some people find attractive others will find repulsive. Some people respond to the fragrance of Christ as a life-giving perfume. But there will be others who do not like what they smell. The message of God’s love offends them.
The call of Christ is an invitation to change the direction of one's life—to repent. It necessitates letting go of all self-saving aspirations. Some people try to avoid hearing this message.
Those who hate God's message of love may also hate its messengers. We cannot change that. But we can ensure that people respond to the message, not us. We can speak with love and show Christ's love through actions.