What smells?

We went to the Mushroom Festival today in Kennett Square. I must admit, I'm far from a mushroom fan. My wife loves them. We even passed a stand that was selling mushroom ice cream! Ahh...no thanks I think I'll pass. The Mushroom Farming industry is huge in Southern Chester County. You can't help but smell the odor of Mushroom compost as you drive through the area. It's the most repugnant smell. It is also necessary in order to grow mushrooms. No compost...no mushrooms. For me, my life would not skip a beat if mushrooms were non-existent. But, for many, the odor is worth the final result!

I was reminded of a passage of scripture found in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17. It says, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God."
To many people that are far from God, when they hear the message of Jesus, they are repulsed by it! Sometimes however, they aren't repulsed by the message, they are repulsed by the messenger! Sometimes Christians come off so judgemental and disrespectful that the person they are sharing their faith with can't even hear the message of Jesus, because they are too busy holding their nose at the repulsive odor of the messenger! Now clearly, the scripture says that some will be repulsed by the message. We can't help that. The message of Jesus is clear and cannot be watered down...Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me!" To some, that claim of exclusivity that Jesus made is the most repulsive odor that you have ever smelled. If thats the case for you...I'm sorry, I can't help that! However, I can help the way in which I share that message. I can share it in love and with respect and certainly in a way that is non-judgemental, and always with sincerity! To others, Jesus' claim is the most beautiful fragrance that you have ever encountered!