Do you like the smell of cookies baking? Steaks grilling? Fresh coffee brewing? How about your wife’s perfume or husband’s aftershave? In life, there are emotions, memories, and mental images tied to aromas and fragrances. In 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 Paul referenced it this way:

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”

As believers, we are the “aroma of Christ”. He continued with the word picture as he connected it to “Roman Triumph” (parades honoring great generals coming back from foreign battle). In it, a procession moved through Rome to the Coliseum with the victorious general leading the captured enemy. Among them, priests would carry burning incense to fill the route with the fragrance of victory. To the Romans, it was the pleasing smell of celebration and pride. To the enemy, it was the reminder of defeat and looming death in the arena.

So, how’s your “aroma” today? When you leave a conversation, will the lingering impression be of Christ or something else? Paul finished the section (v.17) by saying we’re not to wear Christ in a cheap fashion as ones “peddling the Word of God”, but with a sincere heart “as from God” speaking “in the sight of God”. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father is graciously willing to cleanse us as needed in preparation for those moments. May we leave a pleasing memory today…