A Rose or Skunk?

A Rose or a Skunk.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

How do we live out our faith in front of our family? Friends? Co-workers? Do we live out our faith and share the gospel in a way that is a beautiful fragrance like that of a rose? When someone sees a beautiful rose they are drawn by its beauty. Sometimes a person is drawn by its beautiful fragrance before their eyes ever behold its beauty.

What about the smell of lets say...a skunk? You can smell a skunk a mile away before you ever see it! If you weren't familiar with skunks you might think it was cute and want to pet it. But very quickly you would find out that you didn't want to be any where near a skunk and run as fast as you could in the other direction!

I recently spoke with someone who was somewhat offended when I asked if she was "born again." She had a few "born again" believers at her office that were skunks rather than roses. They were judgmental, condemning and self-righteous. Their lives did not reflect the love of Christ and obedience to the Word.

I have to admit I've been a skunk on a few occasions and even been around a few skunks. I know I have grieved my Lord when I've been a skunk. But this is not my desire. I want to always have the fragrance of Christ through my life and my testimony to draw others to the gospel not send them running away.

Paul asks the question "Who is equal to such a task?" Are you? Think about how you represent our Savior. Strive to always be a rose.

Mary Ann