I had one of those experiences the other day that I am sure we all have on occasion. I came home after work and picking up the children to encounter the most awful smell. When I opened the door to our home it hit me immediately. The smell was permeating throughout our home. What is that smell!?! It didn't take me long to realize that it was our trash. What was in there that was smelling so bad? I didn't need to (or want to) investigate. I just knew it had to go!! So I quickly wrapped it up, took it outside, and tossed it out with the rest of the trash.As humans we get so wrapped up with our earthly credentials that we don't realize how bad they smell and permeate a stench throughout our lives. Paul states to the Philippians that he considers all his earthly credentials rubbish so that he may gain Christ. Then to the Corinthians he tells them that through us Christ spreads His fragrance everywhere - the fragrance of the knowledge of Him - an aroma of Christ to God. When we rely on flesh and the "what we have done" or "what we are" on earth we are not spreading the sweet aroma of Christ the Lord savors. Whatever is to our own profit is to be considered a loss for the sake of Christ. We should no longer allow ourselves to be defined by our earthly credentials. These as a whole package are garbage. For us it should be Christ and Christ alone. The fragrance of Christ we leave behind may be the only time someone may experience it.
How highly do you value your appearance, background, abilities and achievements? Do you lean on, cling to, treasure, or secretly delight in them? Then you may be putting too much confidence in the flesh. Quickly do as I did when I encountered the trash that permeated its smell throughout our home - wrap it up, take it out, and toss it with the rest of the trash. Then put on the sweet aroma of Christ and allow Him to spread His fragrance through you.
Prayer: Jesus, I don't want to spread a fragrance of fleshly desires throughout this earth. I want to spread Your sweet aroma that brings life to those who will accept it. Help me to wrap up the earthly things in my life and toss them out so I can spread Your fragrance. I pray this in Your name. Amen.
