Sunday September 19, 2021
The Sweet Smell of Victory
The stench of sin is everywhere. The children of Israel had a stench problem. The scripture tells us that even their olfactory sense noticed it. Yes, the problem was noticed, but what was done about it? It was ignored.
I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have carried away your horses; and I have made the stench of your camp to come up even into your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah. (Amos 4:10)
Sin stinks. Quite frankly, smokers often do not realize the stench with which they fill their environment. Pet owners often do not realize the animal smell that can pervade their homes. Those in sin are very much like them. And it’s not just the sinner that smells bad, he also stinks up the air around him…and it affects those close to him.
But, there is a remedy for the stench of sin…it’s called a victorious life! In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul was commending the Christians there for allowing the Holy Spirit to work in them and change them. They had become a powerful, caring, and giving church with a heart for ministry. Their service to the King and His kingdom became a sweet aroma in a city noted for everything sinful.
The Lord wants us to live a life of victory and righteousness. It is His desire to always lead us to triumph. This is an amazing truth! The God of all creation wants us to follow Him to places of victory, not just for our sakes but for those close to us. You see, we are the sweet aroma that can change the very atmosphere around us.
We are more than conquerors. This is what Paul wanted the church to know…how to influence others’ lives by living a life without defeat. Every place God leads us and every opportunity He gives us has within it the ability to create a sweet aroma. (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of more than conquerors)
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (2 Cor.2:15)
Not surprisingly, the scriptures are full of ways that the sweet aroma can be produced in our lives. Even having a good name releases an aroma of victory (Song 1:3)
- Sacrificial worship releases a sweet aroma
Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. (Jn.12:3)
- Walking in love produces a beautiful fragrance
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Eph.5:2)
- Sacrificial giving releases sweet smelling aroma
Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. (Phil.4:18)
- Even our very lives that we allow God to redeem are fragrant
I will accept you as a sweet aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered; and I will be hallowed in you before the Gentiles. (Ezek. 20:41)
What aroma are you leaving behind you? Are you leaving the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ through a victorious life or the scent of sin and defeat? There is nothing more beautiful than the sweet aroma of Jesus permeating this world through an obedient, caring, victorious and fragrant church.
