Joel M Bradshaw

15For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.–2 Corinthians 2

I am the primary cook in my house. And this means that I need to know and keep mental stock of where and when the meat was purchased. From some stores the meat is cheaper, but you better use or freeze it within one or two days. From other stores you have some wiggle room.

Regardless, the meat gets the smell test. There’s nothing more disappointing than planning a meal and not managing the meat situation well. I would have forgotten to freeze it or use it on the day I intended. Or let’s say the timing of activities or ministry altered the evening meal to a quick pizza and now my internal meal plan was changed. You open that meat package later than usual and it smells off.

I now trust my nose with that smell test. I won’t cook that meat and certainly won’t serve it. With our crazy schedule I have learned to master the freezing and thawing game. It gives me peace of mind regarding what state the meat will be in. That smell test is everything.

Paul spoke of a smell test with the Christian and other people. I’ve spoken at Celebrate Recovery meetings and shared my story about how Jesus rescued me from the selfish Joel path of addiction and hypocrisy and placed me on the Jesus path of self-denial and intentionality. And I remember young men who struggled with the same addiction drawn to my story and wanting that change in their own lives.

I’ve met other people who want nothing to do with change at all. There’s something about the Christian story that repulses them. Maybe they are bitter against God. Perhaps they are self-reliant and don’t see their need for grace or they rationalize their struggles away. For some reason the Christian story smells like the meat I won’t use and they want nothing to do with the church or faith or anything in that category.

We never know what is in a person’s heart. Theologically speaking we don’t know who God has drawn to Himself and made ready to accept the Gospel message. The Exodus narrative speaks of God hardening Pharaoh’s heart and also Pharaoh himself doing so.

Paul’s point was that for the ones on the path of spiritual death, the Gospel smells horrible. For the ones on the path of eternal life, the Gospel smells wonderful. We know how God has been at work by seeing how people respond to the Gospel message. Here it is, how do you respond?

1. Your sin has separated you from God.
2. God must etenally punish your sin.
3. You have no answer in yourself for either of these problems.
4. On the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for that sin in your place.
5. His death now makes it possible for the holy God to be reconciled with the sinner you.
6. But this involves admitting that you have a sin problem, trusting in Jesus alone for that salvation, and committing your life to Him in self-denial rather than self-pursuit.
7. Your daily work now would involve owning what you can own in your relationships and being intentional about what you should be intentional about. Seeking forgiveness and showing forgiveness. All based upon the grace you have received from God because of Jesus.

How does that pass your smell test?–JMB