What Is Your Tone?

“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” – 2 Corinthians 2:15

Several years ago, my wife and I had the privilege of attending a seminar on Campus Awakening at Yale University. One of the speakers, Dr. J.P.Moreland, gave a challenging message on “What is your effective tone?” The thrust of the message was on how we, as followers of Jesus, come across to the saved and the lost. He explained that an “effective tone” was the manifested presence of Jesus in our lives.

Paul seems to be addressing the same issue when he makes reference to the fragrance or aroma of Christ which we should be emitting. Even though the fragrance of Jesus connotes life to many, because of their state of being, to some some it is an aroma of death.

Simply defined, our effective tone is how we come across to others wherever we are. This would involve attitude, actions, spoken words and countenance. Have you ever known a person who would “light up a room” by their presence? I feel that my wife, Anne, is that kind of person. She carries with her the persona of Jesus wherever she goes. It’s real, it’s spontaneous, it’s non-religious, and it is contagious. I must admit that it’s been a more difficult thing for me, but I’ve broken through and I rejoice.

Luke shares this statement in Acts 4:13: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they ere uneducated and untrained men, they marveled and they realized that they had been with Jesus.”

How can we be assured of having an effective tone and emitting the aroma of Jesus Christ? Spend time with Jesus, grow in intimacy with Him, and the fragrance will be there. That’s what the disciples did. It worked for them, and it will work for you.