Nature, bursting into its summer dress, is refreshing and pleasant to observe. It has the spirit of life and hope. The Bible compares Christian faith to this type of aroma of life (2 Cor. 2:14) that Jesus sent His disciples to spread.

Sin brought a deathly smell into the world, into our body and soul. But the Savior bore our sins and reconciled us to God. Now everyone who believes in Him has forgiveness of sins in His name. This is the sweet aroma of eternal life which springs from the Gospel. It brings summer into the midst of winter.

All people do not feel the need to have their sins forgiven by God. They think they can get along without forgiveness. God's Word places them under the Law. It demands that they obtain eternal life for themselves by keeping the Commandments. "He who practices them shall live by them" (Gal. 3:12). A good and respectable life in the eyes of society is not sufficient. The heart must be filled with pure love toward God and one's neighbor. This is impossible for everyone. Thus everyone who rejects God's grace is condemned by the Law. The condemnation of the Law is death. "The letter killeth," says Paul, referring to the Law's purpose (2 Cor. 3:6). For this reason, to those under the Law, God's Word has an aroma of death. They accuse Christians of condemning them and do not understand that they condemn themselves by rejecting God's pardon.

Paul had many different types of experiences while proclaiming the Gospel. He was privileged to observe how pagans, while listening to the preaching of the Gospel, "began rejoicing and glorifying the Word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life, believed" (Acts 13:48). But he also observed that others hardened their hearts and blasphemed. This, however, did not cause him to lose heart, for he realized that this was part of his calling. He marveled and thanked God: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ and manifests through us the sweet aroma 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; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?" (2 Cor. 2:14?16).

Why don't you too, friend, join Christ's triumphant victory parade? Breathe the refreshing aroma of life and enjoy the bliss that God's children enjoy in Christ in all its fullness.