Jesus warned about our days, saying,
“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold” (Matthew 24:10).
The Lord’s warning was not just about conditions in the world; He is speaking to His disciples. He warned about conditions in the church.
Today, the church is overstocked with Christians whose love has grown cold.
As a result, rancor fills our conversations. We have become a sub-culture that is mad that the world has not become Christian, while we are tolerant that we are not Christlike.
When you discuss things that are wrong, does rancor come forth or prayer? The word rancor came from Latin rancere, which meant, “to stink.” (See rancid). This is exactly what we exude heavenward when all we do is find fault and criticize. The smell of our rancor ascends into the awareness of God. These things ought not to be.
On the other hand, intercessory prayer is a sweet aroma to God. Again, when we pass through trials and determine to emerge more like Jesus, our very lives become “a fragrance of Christ to God” (2 Corinthians. 2:15). Amazing! in spite of our flaws and weaknesses, while we are living in this harsh world, we can actually become like Christ.
Indeed, may this be the passion of all who trust God’s Son: to become a fragrance of Christ to God.
By Francis Frangipane
Used by Permission
Further Reading
• How Does Your Life Smell? – by Bradley Stubbs
• What Do You Smell Like? – by Mike Woodard
• A Lingering Aroma – by Marilyn Ehle
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When I cycle into work, I pass by a woodshed where pallets of sawn wood of various lengths and thickness are stacked and kept dry. Sometimes when I pass by, and the wind is in the right direction, the lovely fragrance of pine wafts over me.