Spending Time With God (1.20.14)

Thanks be to GOD who 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? —2 Corinthians 2:14-16

The love of Christ in the hearts of Christians is a subtle, invisible, 

yet unmistakable aroma of the Spirit of GOD. 

Others may notice it even before you speak to them. 

They experience it in the acceptance and friendliness of your manner. 

What’s the source of this fragrance? 

It comes from spending time with GOD. 

It’s the love that clings to you when you come from being in GOD’s presence, 

through prayer and reflection on the Scriptures.

It’s the aroma of the Spirit described throughout 1st Corinthians Chapter 13 

- a patient, kind, selfless nature that “always protects, always trusts, 

always hopes, always perseveres". 

This loving Spirit within you comes from Jesus, 

from spending time with him, resting in his love for you 

and hearing his words of assurance and instructions in the Bible. 

This is the aroma your neighbors and 
the people you work with will notice about you. 

It’s what will attract them to you, encourage them to trust you 

and make them want to spend time with you.

Some people will not find the fragrance of GOD’s love appealing, 

instead they will find it offensive. 

That’s okay.  It doesn’t mean you are doing something wrong, 

it just means they are fighting against GOD’s work in their lives. 

Keep showing them GOD’s love. 

When you wear a fragrance, 

you have to get close enough to people to allow them to smell it. 

What can you do to get closer to your neighbors

- close enough that they can sense the presence of Christ around and within you? 

Find ways to spend time and get to know the people 

GOD has placed around you and let them get to know you. 

If you take time each day to bathe in the fragrance of GOD’s love, 

that fragrance will be more compelling and inviting 

on you than the most expensive perfume.

Loving Father,

I give You thanks for pouring out Your sweet fragrance upon me 

as I love others with the love of Jesus. 

Continually show me ways to reach into the lives 

of neighbors and coworkers so that those who come to know me, 

will also come to know how much You love and care for them.

Allow me to have conversations with people and show acts of kindness 

and compassion that I would not ordinarily show. 

Empower me by Your Spirit to see others as You see them 

and to love as You love. 

I pray that You are glorified and made known in the lives 

of those that are lost and hurting. 

Amen