Is the past a drag? .......... Parables 473

June 20, 1995

We decided to go after our excited daughter’s phone call. “The dishes are just like Grandma’s and they have toys just like we had when we were kids . . . “

It was the biggest garage sale anyone could imagine. Stuff people usually buy and sell from tables set in driveways filled all three pavilions at Northlands Agricom. Some of it was for sale. Much of it was on display. No matter what side of the table they were on, everyone seemed to enjoy the “1995 Antique & Collectibles Show.”

Memories and old things are held together with string, yarn and wallpaper paste. Unfortunately, after twenty-seven moves, either across town or across the country, we have tossed out many objects that might evoke the good old days. That I regret. Memories are important. Good ones bring warm emotions and draw us closer to each other. Even the painful are revived, either for their good learning experiences or for their funny side.

The Bible make a great deal of remembering, both for present need and future choices. God says, “Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past . . . “ and “Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles and the judgments He pronounced.”

During Israel’s history, God did wonderful things that stirred faith and hope with their memory. He also gave commands to learn and obey. Without some reminders, even these who directly received them were apt to forget what He said, just like we do.

For that reason, God said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.’”

Throughout history, believers have used objects like these tassels and blue cords to remind them of their spiritual history. The Orthodox Church had their icons. The western church had paintings, carvings and statues. Crosses endure as another familiar reminder of the sacrifice of Christ and the love of God.

Personally, I often put a note on the edge of my computer screen to remind me of God’s goodness or His commands, especially those I have trouble recalling. Sometimes I print Scripture verses on cards and put them above my sink or in other frequented places.

Some people go overboard and live in the past as a way to avoid the challenges and pain of the nasty here and now. Instead of occasionally reminiscing for enjoyment or instruction, they painfully dwell on their past mistakes. Others live in the “good old days” as if nothing worthwhile happens now. Both extremes wrongly use memories.

The Apostle Paul had a word for Christians who struggle with their past: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul made mistakes, learned from them, then moved on. He had successes, praised God for them, then moved on, always toward his goal. The past was fine, for a season, like an afternoon of antiques and collectibles, but I’m with Paul — the past was fine, and so were its treasures, but I would rather be moving in traffic with the little I need, than spending time, money and energy at a garage sale collecting things that will only hinder me.

A Sweet Smell ................. Parables 227

(July 25, 1990)

What thoughts come with the smell of warm apple pie... the difficulty of losing ten pounds?... Grandma’s house?... Cheddar cheese and melting ice cream?... Or harvest time and a crew of men around the table?

Odors evoke memories. Some publishers even put them in “scratch and sniff” stories to make scenes more alive for young readers. For example, one child’s book I’ve read has berry pie, pepper, chocolate and automobile exhaust fumes hidden in the ink.

Children are not the only ones treated to scented ink. At least one major food chain uses it in their flyers. It is subtle, fades quickly, but reminds potential customers of how good food tastes and hopefully draws them into the store.

The Bible talks about the allure of a sweet scent too. It is not a splash of cologne or aftershave but a heavenly fragrance, the aroma of Christ. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “Thanks be to God who... through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life...” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).

The origin of this metaphor is found back to the Old Testament where sacrifices for sin were burned on an altar: “And you shall burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering to the LORD: it is a sweet savor, an offering made by fire to the LORD.” Exodus 29:18

Figuratively speaking, the smell of the sacrifice rose to the nostrils of God and gave evidence that a sinner had made the necessary offering, in faith, for the forgiveness his sin. That offering was a shadow of a future offering that would be made by a Savior.

When Jesus came, He became the final and perfect sacrifice. As He died on the cross, His offering rose as a sweet smell to God, setting sinners free from the death penalty. Now, according to the New Testament, those who believe in Christ are bearers of that sweet smell.

Notice that 2 Corinthians 2 says “we are to God the aroma of Christ;” that is, our new life is first for God, for His delight because it gave Him great pleasure to provide it.

Secondly, this aroma “is among those who are being saved... the fragrance of life.” Our Christlikeness is also for the pleasure of those who are Christians. To one another, it is a reminder of the perfect sacrifice of Christ and attracts us to the Savior. It is He who gives each one His sweet fragrance.

Lastly, it is “the smell of death... for those who are perishing.” Perhaps the Bible means that those who do not believe in Christ see His death as defeat. To them, the gospel is nothing but a morbid message. Maybe they think Christians are mere fools, bearing not an attracting odor of life but one that repels. To those who don’t believe, Christians may also be an unwanted reminder of an uncertain eternity.

Just what is this aroma? Is it the niceness of a committed Christian? The loveliness of Jesus? Perhaps; but since this word is used in context with sacrifice, I believe it is the message of the Cross lived out in the lives of those who believe in Him. Because Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, we die to sin, put our past behind us, and live in newness of life. The death of the old nature demonstrated in practical obedience smells good to God, just as our new life in Christ also pleases Him.

I know -- not all Christians smell right. Sometimes that God-given odor can be masked with the stench of sin. But when confess our sins and take a wash in His Word, He restores the sweet aroma, then uses it to bring the memory of Him to the hearts of those around us.