Sweet-Smelling Aroma: What God Finds Pleasing

The Bible mentions sweet-smelling aromas to God, or pleasing aromas, on several occasions. In the Old Testament, the aroma of sacrifices is important to God, but it is not the smell itself that is important, but what the smell represents: the substitutionary atonement for sin. In the New Testament, Christ is described as the final sacrifice for sin, a fragrant offering to God. Christians are also described as a sweet-smelling aroma to God, or a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.

The aroma of our prayers

The Bible mentions sweet-smelling aromas to God on several occasions, and these can be interpreted as metaphors for different aspects of our spiritual lives.

In the Bible, God commands the priests of Israel to burn incense inside the Holy of Holies. This incense is made from a blend of five exotic spices and its aroma, along with the people's prayers, rises to God as a sweet fragrance. The act of burning incense symbolises constant prayer and devotion to God.

The Bible also mentions specific types of prayers that are especially pleasing to God, such as prayers of thanksgiving, forgiveness, intercession, praise, and adoration. These prayers are so precious to God that they are likened to fragrant offerings, collected in "golden bowls" in heaven.

The Aroma of Our Repentance

The Bible also mentions the importance of a sincere and humble heart in our repentance. God is not pleased by mere remorse or "vain" confessions but desires genuine repentance that comes from a truly contrite heart. This type of repentance is seen as a sweet aroma to God, as it reflects our commitment to worship and obey Him.

The Aroma of Our Witness

As followers of Christ, our lives and testimonies become a fragrant offering to God. We spread "the fragrance of the knowledge of [Jesus Christ] everywhere". To those who are being saved, this fragrance is perceived as the sweet perfume of life everlasting. However, to those who are perishing, it may be received as an unpleasant odour, representing the stench of death eternal.

The Aroma of Our Love

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is described as a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2). His act of love gave off the sweetest fragrance, as it made atonement for our sins and brought us closer to God. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this self-sacrificial love, expressing Christ's suffering through our own emotional and spiritual sufferings. By doing so, we too become a sweet-smelling aroma to God, reflecting Christ's love to the world.

The aroma of our repentance

The Bible mentions "aroma" on several occasions, specifically in reference to something pleasing to God. However, it is not the smell itself that is important, but what the smell represents.

In the Old Testament, God commanded the priests of Israel to burn incense made from a blend of five exotic spices. This incense, along with animal sacrifices, was meant to atone for the sins of the people. When performed properly, these offerings were considered "a pleasing aroma to the Lord" (Numbers 15:3).

The book of Leviticus mentions the "pleasing aroma" in connection with various offerings, including burnt offerings and grain offerings. These offerings symbolized the substitutionary atonement for sin, with Noah's sacrifice after the flood serving as a notable example (Genesis 8:21).

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the final sacrifice for sin, the ultimate propitiation (Ephesians 5:2). He is the only one who could provide the eternally pleasing sacrifice, as affirmed by God the Father (Mark 1:11).

As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His self-sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:2). By presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, we become a sweet-smelling aroma to God, reflecting Christ's fragrance to the world (2 Corinthians 2:15).

In conclusion, the aroma of our repentance is not about the scent itself but about the transformation of our hearts and lives. It is about genuine repentance, humility, and a willingness to sacrifice for others, just as Christ sacrificed Himself for us. Through our repentance, we offer a fragrant offering to God, pleasing to Him and reflective of our commitment to follow in the footsteps of His Son.

The aroma of our witness

To those who are being saved, our testimony is like a beautiful perfume, wafting the scent of eternal life. On the other hand, to those who are perishing, it is the repulsive stench of death. This dichotomy is not due to the nature of our witness but rather the spiritual state of those who receive it. Regardless of their reaction, our testimonies produce a powerful fragrance that God delights in, for truth always smells good to Him.

The Bible also mentions specific scents that hold significance for God. For instance, the aroma of incense, crafted from a blend of five exotic spices, is associated with the constant prayers of God's people. God takes pleasure in these prayers, collecting them in "golden bowls" in heaven, just as He relishes the aroma of incense.

Furthermore, the Bible speaks of the aroma of our repentance. God is not merely interested in the act of sacrifice but in what it represents—genuine repentance and changed lives. When Israel offered sacrifices carelessly, God rebuked them, emphasising that He desires sincere confessions from humble and contrite hearts.

In conclusion, the aroma of our witness is a profound metaphor for the impact of our faith on others. While our testimony may be received differently, it always carries the fragrance of Christ. Our role is to boldly proclaim the truth, knowing that God delights in our courageous testimonies, which bring glory to His Son.

The aroma of our love

When we think of a sweet-smelling aroma, we might think of the comforting scent of freshly baked bread, the delightful fragrance of cinnamon, or the invigorating smell of onions and roast wafting through the air. In the same way, our love for God and for each other can be like a sweet aroma that fills the air around us.

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, the apostle Paul writes that Christians are to spread "the fragrance of the knowledge of [Jesus Christ] everywhere". We are called to be the aroma of Christ, a fragrance that brings life to those who are being saved and death to those who are perishing. Our love and witness for Christ should be like a sweet scent that draws others to experience the love and mercy of God.

Just as Jesus sacrificed himself for us, we are called to demonstrate that same self-sacrificial love to others. When we express Christ's love through our emotional, spiritual, and physical sufferings on behalf of others, we become a fragrant offering to God. Our love for God and for each other should be like a sweet aroma that fills the air, bringing comfort, hope, and joy to those around us.

Let us strive to live out our love for Christ in such a way that it spills over into the lives of those around us, just as a delightful aroma fills the air and brings pleasure to those who breathe it in. May our lives be a sweet-smelling aroma of Christ's love to a hurting world.

The aroma of sacrifice

The Bible mentions "aroma" on several occasions as something pleasing to God. The concept of a "sweet-smelling aroma" is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, and it serves as a powerful metaphor for the relationship between God, Jesus Christ, and believers.

The significance of the aroma lies not in the smell itself but in what it represents. The sacrifices were a form of substitutionary atonement for sin. When Noah offered a burnt offering of clean animals and birds after leaving the ark, God smelt a "pleasing aroma" and promised never again to destroy every living creature with a flood (Genesis 8:21). Similarly, in Leviticus 1:9, the burnt offering of animals is described as "an aroma pleasing to the Lord."

The sweet aroma of the sacrifices symbolised the Israelites' commitment to worshipping God and following His commands. It represented their repentance, clean souls, and changed lives. God was pleased with their sacrifices because they demonstrated their devotion and obedience. However, over time, when the Israelites became careless with their sacrifices, God rebuked them, emphasising that He valued genuine repentance and humility over mere ritualistic offerings (Isaiah 1:11, 13).

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, the "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2). Christ's sacrifice on the cross was the eternally pleasing offering that satisfied God's righteous requirement once and for all. Through faith in Christ's sacrifice, believers are saved by God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

As followers of Christ, believers are called to emulate His example of sacrificial love. By presenting their bodies as "living sacrifices," they become a sweet-smelling aroma to God (Romans 12:1). This metaphor illustrates how their lives, transformed by Christ, spread a fragrant aroma that pleases God and draws others to Him.

Frequently asked questions