Understanding Sweet Aroma: Pleasing God Through Our Actions

The Bible mentions sweet aromas to the Lord several times, but what does it mean? In the Old Testament, God commanded the priests of Israel to burn aromatic incense made from a blend of five exotic spices. The sweet aroma of this incense, along with the people's prayers, was pleasing to God. Similarly, in the New Testament, Paul uses the imagery of a pleasing aroma to describe the Philippian church's partnership with him in the advance of the gospel. This idea of a sweet aroma to the Lord is also mentioned in 2 Corinthians, where it says that Christians are the fragrance of Christ to God. So, when we live our lives for God and share the gospel, our lives become a sweet aroma to Him.

The aroma of our prayers

The Bible mentions several aromas that are pleasing to God. In the Old Testament, God commanded the priests of Israel to burn incense made from a blend of five exotic spices. This incense was associated with the people's prayers, and its sweet aroma was a delight to God. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul describes how Christians spread "the fragrance of the knowledge of [Jesus Christ] everywhere".

The idea of aroma in the Bible is often used metaphorically to describe the impact of our actions and devotion to God. When we live our lives in accordance with God's teachings, our prayers, repentance, witness, and love become like a sweet-smelling aroma that pleases God.

In the Old Testament, God instructed the priests of Israel to burn aromatic incense made from a specific blend of spices on the golden altar inside the Holy of Holies. This incense represented the constant prayers of God's people, and its sweet fragrance was highly valued by God.

God prescribes specific types of prayers that are especially pleasing to Him:

• Thanksgiving (1 Timothy 2:1)
• Forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
• Intercession (1 Timothy 2:1)
• Praise and adoration (Psalm 148:1–14)
• Utter dependence (Matthew 7:7)
• Seeking wisdom (James 1:5)
• Petitions and supplications (1 Timothy 2:1; Philippians 4:6)
• Seeking peace (Philippians 4:6–7)
• Salvation (Romans 10:9–10)

These prayers are so precious to God that he collects them in "golden bowls" in heaven, allowing him to continually enjoy their aroma.

The Impact of Our Actions

Just as certain aromas can evoke powerful emotions and memories in us, our actions and devotion to God can create a spiritual aroma that impacts those around us. In the Bible, the apostle Paul uses the imagery of aroma to describe how our lives can be a sweet fragrance to God and influence others.

When we live our lives in accordance with God's teachings, our actions can have a positive impact on those around us, drawing them closer to God. This is like spreading a pleasant aroma that reflects our devotion and worship of God.

However, it is important to note that not everyone will react positively to the truth we proclaim. To those who are being saved, our witness may be like a lovely perfume, but to those who are perishing, it may be like an unpleasant odour. Nonetheless, our testimonies and actions create a powerful fragrance that God delights in, as truth always smells good to Him.

Aroma of Sacrifice and Devotion

In the Bible, certain aromas are associated with sacrifice and devotion to God. In the Old Testament, the burnt offerings and sacrifices made by God's people were described as having a sweet savour or aroma that pleased God. These sacrifices pointed to Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

Similarly, in 2 Corinthians, Paul writes that Christians are "a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved and in them that perish". This means that as we live our lives for Christ, we become a sweet-smelling aroma to God, reflecting our devotion to Him.

Just as unique aromas can evoke strong emotions, our lives can impact others and bring them closer to God. By imitating Christ and sacrificing ourselves for others in love, we release a fragrant aroma that pleases God and draws others to experience His love and grace.

In conclusion, when we pray, repent, witness, and love, our devotion to God creates a sweet-smelling aroma that pleases Him. Our actions and sacrifices impact those around us, drawing them to experience the love and grace of God. May we always strive to live our lives as a fragrant offering, bringing joy and delight to our Heavenly Father.

The aroma of our repentance

The phrase "the aroma of our repentance" refers to the idea that God finds the act of repentance pleasing, like a sweet fragrance. This concept is explored in the Bible, particularly in the Old and New Testaments, where specific scents are described as holding symbolic significance for God.

In the Old Testament, God instructed the priests of Israel to burn aromatic incense made from a blend of five exotic spices. This act symbolised the constant prayers of God's people, and the incense was so sacred to God that any deviation from His instructions was met with severe consequences. Similarly, the Israelites were required to sacrifice certain animals to atone for their sins. While the aroma of the sacrifices itself was not what pleased God, the act of sacrifice represented repentance, clean souls, and changed lives.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul uses the imagery of a "pleasing aroma" to describe the partnership between the Philippian church and him in advancing the gospel. Paul emphasises that it is not the sacrifices of animals that matter, but the way we live our lives as a form of worship. He also writes about the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ, suggesting that our words and deeds can leave the aroma of Christ wherever we go.

St. Ambrose of Milan, in "The Aroma of Repentance", encourages us to mourn for our sins, to fear the Lord, and to confess our transgressions so that we may be justified. He assures us that God does not desire to punish us but to pardon us. By laying down our lives for others and imitating Christ's sacrifice, we become a fragrant offering to God, spreading the aroma of His knowledge everywhere.

The aroma of our witness

In 2 Corinthians 2:14–16, the apostle Paul charges Christians to spread "the fragrance of the knowledge of [Jesus Christ] everywhere". We are called to be "the aroma of Christ to God" among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To those being saved, it is a sweet fragrance of life; to those perishing, it is a repulsive stench of death.

Our witness is the knowledge that Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of mankind, and that all who repent and appropriate his sacrificial death on the cross through faith will be saved by God's grace. We are witnesses of the knowledge that Jesus died to bring us to God forever, for our greatest joy.

We make known the sweet aroma of Christ by our words and deeds. When people look at us, they gain a general knowledge and understanding of who Christ is. He becomes visible in us! We leave the aroma of Christ wherever we go, and as we speak and act, the world catches a glimpse of Him.

Our lives are the sweet-smelling aroma of sacrifice. We are called to be living sacrifices, presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. As Christ-followers, we are called to demonstrate Christ's suffering and sacrifice through our own emotional, spiritual, and physical sufferings on behalf of others. It is in expressing Christ in this way that we, too, become a fragrant offering to God.

Let us step into our destiny as a sweet aroma to the Lord. May we fall in love with Jesus and offer Him every room of our hearts. May His sweet aroma be released, bringing pleasure to the Father and joy unspeakable to us.

The aroma of our love

The Bible describes love as a powerful force that can manifest as a sweet aroma to the Lord. This concept is explored in the Bible, particularly in the Old and New Testaments, and offers a beautiful insight into the nature of love and its expression through scent.

The Sweet Aroma of Love

In the Bible, love is often associated with sacrifice and devotion. In John 15:13, Jesus himself states that the greatest act of love is to lay down one's life for one's friends. This act of self-sacrifice, when done willingly, releases a sacred fragrance that is pleasing to God. It is described as a "sweet aroma" or "sweet savour" in the Old Testament, particularly in reference to the Levitical offerings and sacrifices made to atone for sins.

Aroma as a Metaphor

Aroma, in this context, serves as a metaphor for the impact and expression of love. Just as a pleasant scent can bring comfort, joy, and pleasure, so too can love. When individuals bow in humility and worship, their sacrifice becomes a sweet aroma to God, honouring Christ and the peace He brings between God and humanity.

Manifesting the Aroma of Love

The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, encourages Christians to spread "the fragrance of the knowledge of [Jesus Christ] everywhere." This knowledge is that Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for the sins of mankind, and through faith in Him, people can be saved by God's grace.

Impact on Others

The aroma of love has a profound impact on others. To those who are being saved, it is a delightful perfume that draws them closer to Christ. However, to those who reject it, it becomes an aroma of death, exposing their sin and causing them to turn away.

A Personal Reflection

Love, in its truest and purest form, is a sweet-smelling aroma that fills us with hope, comfort, and pleasure. It spills over from within us and envelops those around us, just as a delightful fragrance permeates the air. When we open the door to Jesus and allow Him to dwell within us, His sweet aroma is released through our words and deeds, leaving an indelible impression of Christ wherever we go.

A Call to Action

By presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, we become a sweet aroma to a hurting world and bring joy to God the Father. This is our destiny—to fall in love with Jesus and, in doing so, release His sweet fragrance into the atmosphere, making others hungry and thirsty for His presence.

The aroma of Christ

In 2 Corinthians 2:15, Paul writes, "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." This passage is an analogy that would have been familiar to both the Jewish and Gentile Christians of the time.

For the Jews, the aroma of Christ would evoke the scent of burnt offerings, described in the Old Testament as "an aroma pleasing to the Lord" (Genesis 8:20–21; Leviticus 1:9, 23:18; Numbers 28:27). For the Gentiles, this phrase would bring to mind the scent of incense burned as an offering to the gods.

Paul's specific picture here is of evangelism as a triumphal procession, a common occurrence in the Roman world. In these parades, captives of war were marched through the streets, with flowers and incense carried and burned to the gods. The fragrance of the incense would fill the air, and at the end of the parade, many prisoners would be put to death. Thus, the aroma was pleasing and life-giving to the victors but signified death to those who were defeated.

Paul uses this metaphor to describe two groups of people: those on the path of salvation and those on the road to destruction. The aroma spread by the ministry of evangelism is the knowledge of God as the victor. Christians who spread the gospel are like the aroma or fragrance spread during these victory processions. Both the victors and the perishing smell the aroma, but it holds a different meaning for each group. For the victorious army, the aroma signifies triumph, while for the prisoners of war, it signifies defeat, slavery, and death.

This metaphor beautifully illustrates the different responses of Christians and non-Christians to the gospel. For non-Christians, those on the path to destruction, the believers preaching the gospel spread the smell of death. In contrast, for Christians, those on the path to salvation, the gospel produces the fragrance of life.

Paul's words emphasize the immense importance of spreading the gospel and the unworthiness of humans to be appointed to such a task. He acknowledges that our competence in this ministry comes solely from God, who has made us "competent as ministers of a new covenant" (2 Corinthians 3:6).

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