Ephesians V
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2 ESV)
Smelly
A skunk died on the road nearby a little while ago. It was a particularly smelly skunk. As I walked through our parking lot later, I found there were two kinds of cars.
Some cars had obviously driven in from the south, and smelled like it.
Other cars had obviously driven in from the north, and smelled like it.
Their fragrance gave them away.
Christ’s fragrance does not refer to His earthly cleanliness or perfume. Instead, Christ lived, and died, and lived again in a way that pleased the Father. In scripture, our actions are sometimes described as a fragrant offering that God’s nostrils enjoy.
And when we have walked near, with, or by, Christ, that fragrance clings to us, too.
If we want to please God, walk how Jesus did, and His fragrance clings to us.
If we want to please God, live for others (sacrifice) like Jesus did, and His fragrance clings to us.
If we want to please God, be like Jesus, and His fragrance clings to us.