The first part of our reading today deals with a very familiar, yet painful issue for the congregation in Corinth. It sounds like they had gone through something traumatic. Many churches today walk through trauma together, such as church splits, pastors retiring, or dealing with sinful behaviors that leave deep hurt behind.
Paul’s message to them now, after the fact, was forgiveness. Paul would even forgive, but how he cautions them is a gold nugget for us, too. “And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.” When we use Christ’s authority and attach it to our forgiveness or our prayer requests, we keep Satan’s schemes away. That was a powerful reminder. Christ’s authority cannot be shaken.
Something else that Paul said really spoke to me in today’s reading. Paul likens our message about Jesus to sweet perfume. Paul reminds us that God is using all of us to spread the news about Jesus. Speaking of perfume, this experience came to mind. Have you ever been hugged by someone wearing a little too much perfume, and then for hours after been reminded of their scent? That’s what I imagined when I first read Paul’s illustration.
If the message of Jesus is like a sweet perfume wafting about the room we enter, we want it to last. We want people to remember Jesus and follow Him, too. We also want the Good News to be pleasantly received. Paul suggests that just living our lives out loud for Jesus will lift a beautiful aroma and tribute to God. Sadly, our message isn’t always welcomed by the crowd.
Paul wanted us to know that we won’t be popular with everyone. When we live a life as a sweet smell, pleasing to God, some people will be offended. They may run from us, they may try to hurt us, or they may just ignore us as if we’re speaking nonsense. Have you experienced any such rejection for speaking or living out your faith?
We see so many persecuted Christians in our day. Being Christian isn’t always safe. I’ve even seen haters post nasty comments on social media posts. We must smell bad to them. Paul warned us. “To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom.” How do you handle being criticized, ignored, or targeted because you love Jesus?
Paul suggests we should please God no matter what. We shouldn’t worry about what people think. This was Paul’s plan: “We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.” We won’t be popular with the whole world. We’re prepared for that. Our confidence lies in Jesus. To us and other believers or people ready to be saved, Jesus’ message of love and forgiveness will be the most beautiful of aromas, exactly the right scent that pleases and honors God.
Let’s pray. Thank you, God! You have given me such a wonderful message to share. I want to be a sweet perfume to all those who are ready to hear. I pray for those lost souls who will think my words foul. I’m sure your heart breaks for each of them, too. Protect all Christians being persecuted around the world for their sweet aroma. Thank you for Paul’s example to follow: being sincere and bold, using Christ’s authority for his mission. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
