Becoming the Fragrance of Christ – Part I

“…walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2 NIV).

Oh, how wonderful it is to see the season change and smell the newly budding trees and the vibrant flowers as they release their scent in the warm breeze. Close your eyes and take a deep breath, can you smell it?

As beautiful as these scents are, they are not quite what God’s Word is referring to in Second Corinthians 2:14-15: “…and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (NASB). Whether we prefer floral, musk, or earthy fragrances, that which is most pleasing to the Father is the Gospel aroma as it is released into the world by our testimonies; it is a sweet-smelling fragrance to the Lord. A woman’s testimony is the fragrance of life to a lost and dying world.

Our personal testimonies are foundational to becoming God’s hands and feet in this world; yet Christian women often fail to embrace the power of transparency, which is a key component to developing a firm foundation of knowing who we are in Christ. The Great Commission tells us that all are called to reach out and to touch the lives of others, ultimately making a difference in this world for Christ’s kingdom. Our personal testimonies empower us with a God-given confidence to help others and impact lives with truth and wisdom. Developing that testimony is dependent upon three relationships – our relationship with God, our relationship with ourselves, and our relationship with others. This week we will focus on the first of those three relationships.

Our Relationship with God

Our relationship with God is the most important relationship in our lives and must be nurtured and cultivated just as any other relationship. We must be intentional with our daily quiet time with the Father, aware that complacency could threaten our spiritual growth. God wants us as Christian women to look for every opportunity to spend time with Him. He is adamant about who, what, and where our dependency lies; so time with the Father teaches us to depend on Him for all things. Our time promotes trust; it diminishes depression and loneliness, cleanses our spiritual hearts, and empowers us with His unfailing love. One cannot deny the fact that the more time we spend with someone, the more we take on their nature, characteristics, and attributes. More time spent with the Father leaves us reflecting His image. Our relationship with God becomes the foundation of knowing who we are.