Life unto life or death unto death?

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

When Jesus died on Calvary the earth became comprised of two groups; those of Life unto life (those who have accepted Jesus as Lord) and those of death unto death (those who reject Christ).The moment Christ gave His life on the cross; it became the ultimate display of God’s infinite sovereignty. Choosing Christ means life everlasting while rejecting Him meant eternal damnation and separation from God!

Old Testament laws required meat/animal sacrifices “burnt offerings made by fire” for a covering of their sins. There was a specific sacrifice for all things done! All were done unto the Lord God and to Him it was a sweet savor. The problem was it was not cleansing, only a covering. God being sovereign and divine gracefully gave His Son Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice; doing away with animal sacrifices as Jesus was the Lamb without spot or blemish (sinless), and it would be through His shed blood that all humanity could have the opportunity for redemption and total cleansing from sin!

His shed blood is the sweet smelling aroma that allows God to look upon those in Christ. Why? It is the beautiful aroma of grace, love, sacrifice, mercy and forgiveness! “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. Our sins are no longer held against us… “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Proverbs 103:12. The stench we once carried has been exchanged for the precious blood; that priceless sweet smelling aroma!

Those who reject Him carry a stench of sin, self and the world that is completely offensive to the nostrils of the One True Living God. We know that sin equals death, and the Word says, “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:35-36. How many actually think of their actions against God as sin & death? Very few! Death in any form, however simplistic or horrific, creates a horrid smell over time of rot and decay. Spiritually, it is sin that separates us from God!

Point to ponder: To what is the aroma you carry? No amount of incense, perfume or cologne can cover the stench of worldliness, self, rot and decay! Only the Blood of Christ can cleanse; which brings life, liberty, peace and forgiveness. Do you carry Life unto life or death unto death?