While waiting for a traffic light to let me go I suddenly smelled the smoke of an El Producto cigar. Instantly looking in my rearview mirror I saw a cigar in the mouth of the man in the car behind me. I was fascinated by the flood of memories it released. My Dad smoked El Productos. That particular smell is to me a perfume. One thing I never doubted was how much my father loved me. Most likely most people are put off by that smell but to me it is the best smell ever.
Most things in life are relative. In II Corinthians 2 we read, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those whare perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.” I am trying hard to stop being critical of others because they do things I don’t like. Why should my likes and dislikes be the standard of other’s behaviors? Just as I desire the freedom to do as I like so should I want the same for others. Just as some people are obnoxious to me so am I to them. We are the fragrance of Christ to God and the aroma of death to the unsaved.
I’m sure you have noticed how some people try to use religion to get us to comply with their particular tastes. If they don’t like something they find a way to make it morally wrong and thus a sin. The next time I am tempted to do that I hope I remember the fragrance of an El Producto cigar.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 5, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org