I'm sure you have had a negative experience when sharing the good news of Christ. Some people just don't want to hear about Him. Even though your concern is for their eternal life, they usually think your shoving "religion" down their throats.To help us understand why so many have a negative reaction to our faith, the apostle Paul uses the analogy of a Roman celebration of victory. In his day, when a general returned to Rome after conquering the enemy, he made a triumphal entry and led a parade through town. he rode in a golden chariot surrounded by his officers and followed by his troops. At the end of the procession were the chained captives.
During this pageantry, clouds of inscense floated among the participants and the assembled onlookers as pagan priests carried their censors. To the conquerors, this was the sweet aroma of victory. To the captives, it was the smell of death, for they would soon be killed by wild animals in the arena.
In the same way, we are a sweet fragrance of Christ to one another as we follow in His victory over sin and death. However, to those who don't know Him as Savior, we are reminded of the judgment they dread.
Even though some people will be repulsed by us and our message, we MUST continue to share our hope with gentleness and grace (1 Peter 3:15-16). Paul hated Christians at one time, yet he would be the first to affirm that the Lord can reach a hardened heart and change a captive into a victor!
