The Aroma of Holiness

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. (Colossians 1:22)

Have you ever noticed how some things just cling to you? Yesterday I sat by my fire pit enjoying the flames. When I finally went inside, my wife called from three rooms away: "You smell like smoke!" That smoke had worked its way into my clothes, my hair, my skin—and wouldn't let go.
 
That's exactly how holiness works in your life. When you spend time in God's presence, something of Him clings to you. You carry His aroma wherever you go.

Here's what fascinates me about holiness: God already sees you as holy if you've given your life to Christ. Say it out loud: "I am holy." Feel uncomfortable? It should! There's a tension between what God declares about you positionally and what you experience practically as you battle with your flesh.
 
Many believers miss this truth. You don't strive for holiness to earn God's acceptance—you already have that. Instead, you pursue holiness because you've been declared holy, and now your life is catching up to what God already sees.

You might think, "But Curt, I don't feel holy at all." Of course you don't! Neither do I. That's the struggle in these "skin suits" we wear. There's a gap between heaven's declaration and earth's reality.
 
This is why intimacy with Jesus is essential. Not church attendance, not singing worship songs, not even serving others—though these are good things. What matters most is your personal relationship with Christ Himself.

When you stay close to the fire of God's presence, His holiness rubs off on you. You begin to smell like heaven. People notice something different without you saying a word. They sense an aroma that doesn't belong to this world.
 
Today, I challenge you: Stop trying to be holy by your own effort. Make intimacy with Jesus your priority. Spend time in His presence. Let His fire purify you from the inside out. When you do, you won't have to announce your holiness—people will smell it on you.