The Sweet Aroma of Christ

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's reading, titled The Sweet Aroma of Christ, was written by David H. Roper. I knew a rancher who lived near Lomita, Texas. His two grandsons were my best friends. We would go into town with him and follow him around while he shopped and chatted with the folks he knew.

He knew them all by name, and he knew their stories. He'd stop here and there and ask about a sick child or a difficult marriage, and he'd offer a word of encouragement or two. He would share scripture and pray if it seemed the right thing to do. I'll never forget the man. He was something special. He didn't force his faith on anyone, but he always seemed to leave it behind. The elderly rancher had about him what Paul in 2 Corinthians 2 would call the sweet aroma of Christ. God used him to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Christ.

He's gone to be with God now, but his fragrance lingers on in Lomita. C. S. Lewis wrote, There are no ordinary people. You have never talked with a mere mortal. Put another way, every human contact has eternal consequences. Every day we have opportunities to make a difference in the lives of people around us through the quiet witness of a faithful and gentle life, or through encouraging words to a wary soul. Never underestimate the effect a Christlike life can have on others.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from 2 Corinthians chapter 2 verses 14 through 17. But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession, and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one, we are an aroma that brings death.

To the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity as those sent from God. Let's pray. Lord, as Your children, help us spread Your love with those around us as we share You with those who are wandering and lost. May our words be filled with gentleness and kindness, without judgment or harshness. You have called us into Your marvelous light. Let us shine that light into the lives of those who don't know You. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.