What’s that Perfume You’re Wearing?

Did you know that you smell like Jesus?

2 Corinthians 2:14–15 (NASB 2020) says, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:

This is far better news than might initially be apparent.

Growing up, I was taught that witnessing to unsaved people was very important. Our church set up “visitation days” where we were expected to go door to door handing out “Gospel tracts” (pamphlets) and asking people if they knew where they were going when they die—or other similar questions designed to ascertain their spiritual status. I found this discomforting in the extreme. I was embarrassed to be seen doing it and it was always very awkward.

I wish I had known that I smell like Jesus. If I had, I could simply have lived freely. I could have been at rest in the fact that because Holy Spirit lives in me, His fragrance comes out as surely as the fragrance of perfume surrounds the wearer.

Too often we are told that it’s our job to “win souls for Christ.” I’m here to tell you that you can give up on that notion. The concept of winning souls is nowhere found in scripture, and as we read in Acts 17:24–25 (NASB 2020) “The God who made the world and everything that is in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;”

You are Father’s messenger, but not because you have any power in yourself to adequately represent Him. Scripture tells us that apart from Him we can do nothing (see John 15:5) and it also says in Acts 1:8 (NASB 2020) that, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” The Greek makes it clear that this is a future and ongoing thing that will happen. Future because Holy Spirit had not yet come at the time this was spoken, but certain and ongoing. It’s not so much a command to go preach as it is a statement about the effect of you carrying around the Spirit of Christ.

Peter talks about it this way in 1 Peter 3:15 (NASB 2020). He says, “but sanctify [set apart] Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense [or give an answer] to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect.”

Do you see that? There is no command here to “get out there” and chase after people. No direction to shove scripture or the name of Jesus into every conversation. Not a hint of calling out the sins of others. Instead, Father brings people across our paths and often they simply ask about the hope we have within us. It may come out as a question about our sanity, or whether we are ignorant of the turmoil in the world. Or it may be a series of sincere questions about our faith. Whatever it looks like, it is an opportunity to tell others what Jesus has done for us and wants to do for them.

Here's the really exciting part. You’re wearing very special perfume. The fragrance of it is spread everywhere you go. You may not sense it yourself, but those around you can tell. It’s the fragrance of Jesus and through us God reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place. As our passage says, “we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” Our sisters and brothers in Christ know it, and even those who do not know Christ know it.

There is no work involved in spreading this fragrance. Just as anyone wearing perfume spreads the aroma without trying, so it is with us. Wherever we go, Jesus is with us, Holy Spirit is in us, and the fragrance of Him wafts out naturally. Paul talks about just how profoundly we are in Christ in Acts 17:28, “in Him we live, and move, and exist.”

Saint, you shall be His witness. There is no doubt about it. It isn’t about knocking on doors or redirecting conversations. It is simply a fact because you carry Him and you are in Him. He is like perfume, and you spread His aroma wherever you go.

Grace and peace to you.
Larry
E3 Ministries
LarryEiss.com