we stink

2 Corinthians 2

15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.

But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.

16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom.

But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.

Remember the last time you were somewhere & you encountered someone with significant body odor?

Remember what you thought?

Remember what you felt?

And remember how strongly you wanted to get away from it & them?

I think these 2 verses may explain why some people may react to those of us who follow Jesus.

Of course, I doubt if they would quantify it like that.

They may explain it as a reaction to what they perceive as an odious attitude, a narrow viewpoint, or just pure craziness – or any number of other reactions.

And these are quite normal reactions because by letting God make us more & more like Jesus puts us at odds at the way the world operates or thinks.

Look what Jesus' behavior, thinking, & lifestyle got for Him...

      He was so repugnant they killed Him.

So as we move about our own little corner of the world, maybe we should do so with a little more gentleness...