The Aroma of Grace

What does grace smell like?

I imagine it to be breathtakingly beautiful. We don’t often consider our sense of smell—until we have the opportunity to inhale a decent waft of something wonderful:

A green apple. Clean laundry. Freshly baked bread. Lavender.

And then we gulp it in greedily and go back for more, flaring our nostrils and absorbing the delight of the aroma, again and again.

There’s a verse in the Bible that talks of us being a pleasing aroma: “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15, NIV).

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people were aware of our ‘Christ aroma’ to such an extent that they wanted Him, too? And that’s exactly as it should be, simply allowing His aroma of grace to permeate our very lives—words, actions, and attitude. Giving hope and love and light to all who breathe it in.

Some days, I mask the fragrance of grace with my own version of what I think I should smell like. Other days, I water it down until it’s beyond recognizable as being of Christ. Not exactly “an aroma redolent with life,” as The Message translation puts it!

But ultimately, our aroma of grace is an offering to the Father, and He loves and accepts it as such. He delights in us; He delights in you, His beloved.

Breathe in His sweet grace, friend. And radiate His love to those around you today.