The appreciation of the smell is in the nose of the beholder.
Our aroma is like a perfume or a cologne. O Ephesians 4:1-2 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle be patient, bearing with one another in love.” O The word picture here is of a triumphant king and His army, marching through the streets of a conquered city with His prisoners in tow. The preceding verse in 2 Corinthians says, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”. But seriously, God is parading us around the world, having infused us with His Spirit, and as such we are spreading an aroma that reflects on Him, everywhere we go. So I guess you could say that as Christians we all have body odor – the Body of Christ. To the one we are an aroma that brings death to the other, an aroma that brings life. Or, I could walk in and ask, “What’s that smell?” with great disgust (and sleep on the couch).įor we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. If I walked into the kitchen where my wife is cooking, I might ask, “What’s that smell?” with great anticipation. “What’s that smell?” This question can be said with two different intonations and have two totally different interpretations. Let us be equally committed to things worthy of our calling! O With a firm vision of what he was working diligently for, Paul was able to persevere to the end to achieve his goal, the attainment of the crown of righteousness. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” As his life draws to a close, Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Is there reprioritizing you need to do to make time for applying yourself to your goal?. O Is there an example of someone you have seen model this? Where have you seen the principle of diligence play out in your life?. Devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking. O The dictionary definition of diligence – steady, earnest, energetic effort. Our verses tell us that hard work and diligence are key. 
O What picture is in your mind of what that would look like? O Do any of the examples above or maybe something else immediately resonate?
So, what is at least one goal you have for the next year?. Proverbs 14:23 - All hard work brings a profit,īob 4:16 – Wanting without working is wishing Proverbs 13:4 - A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,īut the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. 
Our two verses from Proverbs highlight a critical ingredient to achieving our desires – hard work. As we wind down 2020 and think about the New Year, what is a goal or two you have for 2021? This could take many forms including your relationship with the Lord, your relationship with others, your character, your health, your finances, your work, your passions, your ministry, etc., etc.
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