2 Corinthians 2

V. 15-16, The smell of life vs. the smell of death

They say that the sense of smell is closely related to your memory; a whiff of a certain scent can conjure up memories of the past vividly. I was talking to someone the other day about a wood plant in our region that processes wood into mulch and how bad it smelt when you drove by. It so happens he said that he wife grew up across from that wood plant and that she loves that smell because it reminded her of her home and her youth. Strange how one smell can evoke too totally different responses. In verse 16 Paul says that the gospel message has an aroma that has a similar effect on individuals. To some the gospel message is a beautiful sent that brings about life and to others it is a putrid odor that brings about death.

Deuteronomy 30:15 is an Old Testament scripture that may sum it up best, it says God has set before us two paths to choose from. One that leads to life and prosperity and the other that leads to death and destruction. The gospel message to this world is an opportunity to not condemn or doom mankind but instead an opportunity to give they an escape from impending judgement. We all must make a choice do we choose to repent of our wicked ways and follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior and inherit eternal life. Or do we reject the only hope we have and choose to live eternally separated from God in Hell. One aroma that produces two totally different responses, life or death.