Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. 2 Corinthians 2:14b-15a

 

The sun is rising and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee hits your nose—one whiff makes you want a cup!

 

Just as fragrance draws us, so God says, our lives can be used to draw others to Him. The Bible book of Romans says that God uses those who follow His Son, Jesus, to “spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are like a sweet fragrance rising up to God” (2 Corinthians 2:14b-15a).

Writer Joni Eareckson Tada puts it this way: “Sometimes I see myself as twelve scoops of dark-roasted coffee through which God’s grace drips, bringing the rich taste of Jesus into the lives of others. Like the aromatic flavor of a good coffee, I want my life in Jesus Christ to captivate everyone I touch. I want to cultivate in them a taste for Jesus.”[1]

The way to make sure we give off the sweet aroma of Jesus is to spend enough time with Him and with His Word, the Bible. Cultivating a habit of listening to and meditating on His transforming Words—maybe with your morning coffee or tea–is the only way to take on His qualities in our lives.

“Keep yourself close to Jesus, Tada, reminds us, “and his life-giving stream will fill your heart, effervesce up into an ecstatic foundation of praise…and flow out as a steady river of encouragement to everyone around you, bringing refreshment and renewal.”[2]

Jesus-follower, take a moment to evaluate this question today: Is my life cultivating a taste for Jesus in others? Only by carving out time with Him in our lives, will they be what the Bible calls “life-giving perfume” to those who are open and wholeheartedly searching.

 

[1] Tada, Joni Eareckson. “29 A Taste for Jesus.” The Practice of the Presence of God, Multnomah, 2023, p. 59.

[2] Ibid.