在五種感官知覺當中，哪一個最容易喚醒你的記憶呢？對我而言是嗅覺。例如：某種防曬油的味道能讓我想到夏天的海灘；雞飼料的味道會勾起我童年去看望祖母的回憶；少許的松木香味會讓我聯想到聖誕節；某種刮鬍霜則讓我想起兒子青少年時期的往事。

保羅提醒哥林多教會的信徒，他們是基督的馨香，他說：「我們在上帝面前⋯⋯都有基督馨香之氣」（哥林多後書2章15節）。保羅談到馨香，也許是因為當時羅馬軍隊慶祝勝利時，為了要讓每個人都知道他們已贏得勝利，就會在所有的祭壇上焚香。對得勝者而言，那的確是宜人的香氣；但對於俘虜來說，那意味著奴役或死亡。基督徒就是得勝的戰士，當基督的福音遍傳，便成為上帝面前芬芳的香氣。

基督徒既然是基督的馨香，在人群中會散發出什麼樣的香氣呢？這香氣並不是來自昂貴的香水。如果我們花時間與某個人相處，自然就會和那人有同樣的思想與行動。同樣地，若多花時間與耶穌相處，我們也會散發出令人愉悅的馨香。

Which of the five senses brings back your memories most sharply? For me it is definitely the sense of smell. A certain kind of sun oil takes me instantly to a French beach. The smell of chicken mash brings back childhood visits to my grandmother. A hint of pine says “Christmas,” and a certain kind of aftershave reminds me of my son’s teenage years.

Paul reminded the Corinthians that they were the aroma of Christ: “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:15). He may have been referring to Roman victory parades. The Romans made sure everyone knew they had been victorious by burning incense on altars throughout the city. For the victors, the aroma was pleasing; for the prisoners it meant certain slavery or death. So as believers, we are victorious soldiers. And when the gospel of Christ is preached, it is a pleasing fragrance to God.

As the aroma of Christ, what perfumes do Christians bring with them as they walk into a room? It’s not something that can be bought in a bottle or a jar. When we spend a lot of time with someone, we begin to think and act like that person. Spending time with Jesus will help us spread a pleasing fragrance to those around us.