The Fragrance of Christ

 By Fabienne Seguin - October 2019

I like perfume. Much more than jewels. I like it because we don’t see it.The fragrance of a perfume on us talks about us. It reveals what we like, who we are. It can be very discreet or very strong. It is part of our identity. When we wear a perfume, people cannot see it but the perfume makes a difference. A perfume is an invisible memory of the person who wear it. The fragrance of a perfume is also what remains when we leave a room.

As Christians, are we really the fragrance of Christ ?
Rev3:15 « I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other ! ». The influence of the world in the church is sometimes very strong. We are saved by grace and we live quietly in our comfort zone. We live for ourselves. We forget that God expects us to be witnesses of the Gospel in order to bring more and more people to salvation and to encourage those we have already chosen to follow Jesus. Ro 12:1-2 «  Therefore, I urge you, Brothers and Sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – that is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will ». Jesus-Christ gave Himself as a sacrifice. What are we able to sacrifice in our lives and of ourselves ?

Jesus-Christ knew why He came into the world and didn’t forget His mission. He kept His promisses. What He did was never half done. He didn’t heal people for an hour or for three days. They were definitly healed. When He died on the cross, he sacrificed once for all who will accept Him as the Way, The Truth and the Life. Are we able to keep our commitments ? Are we able to keep our word, our promisses ? Are we trustworthy ? Ep 6:14-15 « Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace ». Are we able to serve God and to serve others as Jesus did ?

What kind of testimony do we give to others (Christian and non Christian people) ? What kind of fragrance will remain after we will leave this world ? Will our life continue to inspire people and encourage them to sacrifice themselves ? A fragrance of life or a fragrance death ?
Amen.

This devotion was presented at Annual EBWU Conference in Warsaw-Radosc, Poland
12 October 2019