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I spent most of my childhood and teen years in Port Alberni, British Columbia. The forest industry boomed in the 1950's, and a large pulp mill and three other mills dominated the economy of the town. The pulp mill in its pulp and paper making process would release gaseous sulfur compounds into the air. At that time, no one thought of controlling these emissions, which smelled like rotten cabbage, from the pulp mill. Especially on days when the clouds hung low, the smell of the pulp mill was the source of much unflattering comment. Even once I grew up, and returned to Port Alberni, I could take a deep breath and say, “That's my home town!” I could identify it by its smell.
The odour of my home town was perceived differently by those who made their living by working in the forest industry. To them it was the smell of money, the aroma that supported their livelihood.
The apostle Paul even speaks of smells in the New Testament. In 2 Corinthians 2:14a,15, he compares Christians to the triumphal procession of Roman conquerors, who paraded their captives and treasures after a military victory. He says, “But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession...Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.” (NLT)
Paul compares the wafting incense of the Roman victory procession to the lives of Christians.
To the victors in the Roman procession, the incense that was burned to the gods smelled sweet, whereas all the captives smelled was slavery and death. To some, the same aroma was sweet, but to others it spelled doom.
Just as the smell of the pulp mill in the earlier days of the forest industry was perceived in different ways, the message of the gospel is perceived differently today by two groups of people. There are those who are receptive to its message and those who reject it. “To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.” (2 Corinthians 2:16a NLT)
Paul asks, “And who is adequate for such a task as this?” (2 Corinthians 2:16b NLT) None of us are equal to the task of sharing the good news of the gospel in our own strength. Christ gave us the command, “Go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19a NLT) But He said, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ( Matthew 28:20b NLT) Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and accepting Him in our lives, we have the Holy Spirit Himself enabling us. Now he [God] uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. (2 Corinthians 2:14b)
Let's go forth confidently to be the aroma of God to others, so that those who are perishing can smell not doom, but life. Let's be that sweet perfume of God's saving grace.
Alice Burnett
Red Deer, Alberta
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