The Sweet Aroma of Christ 基督的香气

[Dexu Xia]

We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.   2 Corinthians 2:15

I knew a rancher who lived near Lometa, Texas. His two grandsons were my best friends. We would go into town with him and follow him around while he shopped and chatted with the folks he knew. He knew them all by name and he knew their stories. He’d stop here and there and ask about a sick child or a difficult marriage, and he’d offer a word of encouragement or two. He would share Scripture and pray if it seemed the right thing to do. I’ll never forget the man. He was something special. He didn’t force his faith on anyone, but he always seemed to leave it behind.

The elderly rancher had about him what Paul would call the sweet “aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). God used him to “spread the aroma of the knowledge of [Christ]” (v. 14). He’s gone to be with God now, but his fragrance lingers on in Lometa.

C. S. Lewis wrote, “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked with a mere mortal.” Put another way, every human contact has eternal consequences. Every day we have opportunities to make a difference in the lives of people around us through the quiet witness of a faithful and gentle life or through encouraging words to a weary soul. Never underestimate the effect a Christlike life can have on others.

What do you think about the statement, “There are no neutral contacts”? What difference could it make in the way you view every contact and conversation throughout the day?

Fill me, Holy Spirit, with love, gentleness, and kindness toward others.

Read Compassion: Learning to Love Like Jesus.

 我们在上帝面前，无论在得救的人身上，或灭亡的人身上，都有基督馨香之气。—哥林多后书2章15节

我认识一个住在德州洛美塔的牧场主人，他的两个孙儿是我最好的朋友。我跟他的孙儿会与他到镇上，随他购买东西，也会看到他与所认识的镇民闲聊。他知道所有人的名字，也知道他们的故事。他走走停停，问候生病的孩子，关怀婚姻出现问题的夫妇，说一两句鼓励的话。在适当的时候，他会跟他们分享经文，也会为对方祷告。我永不会忘记他，因为他是如此特别，不会将信仰强加在别人身上，但总会留下信仰的痕迹。

这位年长的牧场主人拥有保罗所说的“基督馨香之气”（哥林多后书2章15节）。上帝使用他“显扬那因认识基督而有的香气”（14节）。如今，他虽已安息主怀，但他的香气仍留在洛美塔。

鲁益师写道：“在这世上没有普通人，与你谈话的人不是仅有血肉之躯。”换句话说，每一次人与人的接触，都有它永恒的结果。每天我们都有机会，以忠诚温柔的生命，向周遭的人，默默为主作见证，或向疲惫的心灵说些鼓励的话，为他们的生命带来改变。永不要低估活出基督样式的生命对他人所产生的影响。

你同意“接触就会带来影响”吗？这句话如何让你以
不同的观点，来看待日常生活中每次与人的接触及对话？

圣灵啊，求祢以慈爱、温柔和恩慈充满我，好让我能如此待人。