29 Sep, 2008
Jose A. Cruz, of West Virginia, raised a stink (literally!) when he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol last Tuesday. When taken to the local police station for a breathalyzer test, Cruz (who claimed to have an upset stomach) allegedly scooted his chair close to the officers, lifted his leg, and "let on rip!" According to one police officer, the stench "created contact of an insulting or provoking nature." Because of his offensive release, Cruz was charged with battery on a police officer, among other charges.
Read the story here.
Picture courtesy of google images.
Whoever Smelt It Dealt It!
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (ESV)
Paul lived in the day of the Roman Empire. When the Roman army would return from another battle victory, the Roman general would show off their prisoners and loot in a parade of triumph. The streets would be lined with people burning incense to honor their false gods. This aroma was sweet for the victors, but it was a foul stench for the captives because they faced slavery and death.
When we (followers of Christ) talk about God's Story and our story, it smells great to some and to others - it stinks!
Other believers will like the fragrance of Christ in us, unless they're not living to please Jesus at the time.
For those who are not followers of Christ, it may smell like death at first, because deep in their souls, the Holy Spirit will convict them of their eternal destination without the forgiveness of Christ. But this is good - it's part of God's Story - His Spirit is pointing out their need for spiritual rescue and will attract them to the sweet smell of life in Christ!
But do we smell like new life in Jesus Christ? Jesus will use our lives to be like a sweet aroma to others if we are full of His grace and love. Be honest. How do you smell?
How can you connect today's God's Story to your life?
- Remember today's story - how offensive and foul Cruz' gas was to the officers around him. Be honest. Has your life been wafting a horrible stench in the lives of those around you? If your life in Christ is stale and and you suddenly try to be a "witness" for Christ, you may be releasing an unpleasant aroma that is clouding your friends' view of Christ. Don't drop a religious "bomb" on others!
- Talk to God right now. Praise Him for the sweet aroma of Christ's forgiveness which keeps you from the stench of eternal death! Confess any way in which you have been smelling more like the decay of this world rather than new life in Jesus Christ. Ask God's Spirit to keep pointing out anything unclean in your life so that you will give off the fragrance of Christ to others. Thank Jesus for keeping you spiritually fresh every day!
- Memorize 2nd Corinthians 2:15 as a daily reminder of the need to smell good!
- Whenever you put on perfume, cologne, or some body spray, pray that God's Spirit will empower you to give off the aroma of Christ to others. Or the next time you "let one rip," take a moment and ask yourself what kind of spiritual aroma you are spreading.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to the lives of others?
- The next time you're with your friends or family and someone, inevitably, passes gas, take that opportunity to bring up this story and today's scripture passage - Ask them what kind of an aroma they think Christians are spreading. This should allow for some interesting discussion and may help give you an opportunity to share how God's Story is affecting your story.
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