Wesley Bros: Sanctification
June 5, 2018
Many of us are familiar with the idea of being the salt and light of Christ in the world. But I love the less familiar image of Christians as the aroma of Christ in the world.
“Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, NRSV
I once preached this text with crockpots placed around the sanctuary cooking Paula Deen’s Slow Berry Cobbler. The Apostle Paul is comparing his ministry to a sacrificial Roman parade, where the scent of incense leads the way and fills the streets, indicating to everyone that a military victory has been won, or a royal figure or deity was entering town. For Paul, the Christian ministry is itself the sacrifice, the aroma. As the Christians present ourselves as “a living sacrifice” (Rom 12:1-2), the joy and gratitude that characterizes our ministry fills the streets with the scent of Christ, announcing his victory over sin and death, welcoming the rule of God’s kingdom breaking into our world right now. Scent evokes strong memories, so to be the aroma of Christ in this world is to so connect to God through Jesus Christ that when people see you, they can’t help but remember what God has done for them through Christ.
This is very public imagery, as smell cannot be contained. To be the aroma of Christ serves as an encouragement for all those already alive in Christ, spurring them on to new depths of life in God’s love. Life is a constant movement towards a deeper trust in God, changing from glory to glory. Or life is a movement away from God, growing ever fearful and distrusting. In the Wesleyan tradition, we say we are “going on to perfection,” hoping to live our lives as the fragrance of Christ in this world, always experiencing a greater abundance of God’s loving presence. We also call this sanctification, holiness, developing the same mind and attitude that was in Jesus Christ. Your private practice of piety, devotion, and holiness is inherently public, because you won’t be able to hide the fragrance of Christ on you. What happens to you spiritually is displayed bodily. We ourselves become outward and visible signs of inward, invisible grace.
Below you’ll find a portion of the text from Charles Wesley’s hymn, “The Promise of Sanctification,” which served as the inspiration for this week’s comic. May you find it to be an encouragement as you go on to perfection and can’t seem to get the smell of crucified/risen Christ off you.
3 That I thy mercy may proclaim, That all mankind thy truth may see, Hallow thy great and glorious name, And perfect holiness in me.
5 Perform the work thou hast begun, My inmost soul to thee convert; Love me, forever, love thine own, And sprinkle with thy blood my heart.
6 Thy sanctifying Spirit pour / To quench my thirst, and wash me clean; Now, Father, let the gracious shower / Descend, and make me pure from sin.
7 Purge me from every sinful blot; My idols all be cast aside. Cleanse me from every evil thought, From all the filth of self and pride.
8 Give me a new, a perfect heart, From doubt, and fear, and sorrow free, The mind which was in Christ impart, And let my spirit cleave to thee.
We may not always be certain about what to say or do in these uncertain times. Devote yourself to loving God and loving neighbor, to works of piety and works of mercy. Pray for your enemies and seek true humility and mercy as your way of life. You just may find your private spirituality uncontainable.
When not drawing the Wesley Bros cartoon, the Rev. Charlie Baber, a United Methodist deacon, serves as minister of discipleship for youth and families at Highland United Methodist Church in Raleigh, N.C. His cartoon appears on United Methodist Insight by special arrangement.