The Aroma of Life

Leviticus 6:15 "Then one of them shall lift up from it a handful of the fine flour of the grain offering, with its oil and all the incense that is on the grain offering, and he shall offer it up in smoke on the altar, a soothing aroma, as its memorial offering to the LORD. " (New American Standard Version)

Imagine that soothing aroma before God. Imagine meeting the priest and smelling the aroma that clung to his garment after a day's offering to God. The people of Israel would have known that aroma came from being before the Lord, almighty God. It was the "Aroma of Life" for them.

Paul spoke of a similar "Aroma of Life". It was the act of support for his ministry. Yet, he declared it "... a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God." This gift they offered was not just for Paul's benefit, but one that Paul said would profit them because it would be seen and received by God.

The Holy Scriptures speak of such an "Aroma of Life". 1 Pet. 2:5: ..."you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:18 "But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God."

As men of God, pastors, a holy priesthood, what is your "Aroma of Life"? What is that spiritual smell that clings to you as you walk among the believers and non- believers?

Paul speaks of this, ”Aroma of Life”, to the church at Corinth (Cor. II 2:14,15): "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."

Paul knew what the lives of these believers were to be like and why it was to be an "Aroma of Life". It was the proof of God's presence through Christ. It was truly the "Aroma of Life", the ultimate sacrifice, that was pleasing to God that of "Christ in them, the Hope of Glory".

As men of God, your lives and the lives of those under your leadership should have an "Aroma of Life" that believers and unbelievers will want to know about. This spiritual "Aroma of Life" will always be upon God's people. The Scriptures say that it will manifest through you. It will be the knowledge of Him in every place that you set your feet. It is not knowledge about, but the actual knowing of Him. This is the sweet aroma, the fragrance of Christ that goes before us to the throne of God. For it is to God that this fragrance and aroma goes.


Just like the priest of the Old Testament, as men of God today, you must give yourselves to God's directive of what is to be offered, it then becomes the work of Christ. God wants His people to know where you have been and that is at the place of spiritual sacrifice before Christ. Here is the real "Aroma of Life" that must precede you so others can find salvation and assurance of God's presence in their lives.

This is the message of God to you, “Be that Aroma of Life" as you serve Him before others. This will truly be thanks to God who will lead you in triumph in Christ and will manifest through you the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place you go.

My prayer is: Father fill these men of God, your servants, with the Aroma of Christ, that where ever they set their feet they will have those around them ask; “What is this that we sense about you?”. May this spiritual aroma be in their lives in all things they do before you and may it touch those who are being saved and even those that are perishing. In Jesus's Name, Amen!

Brother James Ulmer