¹ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)

My Lord, It seems abundantly clear to me that I stink. That is to say that in and of my own self because of my sin my spiritual odor is hideous. The rot of my transgressions and the stench of my iniquity figuratively speaking surely are vile to the nostrils of a holy God. In and of my self I am as rotting flesh and a decaying corpse. But Christ!!! The beauty of His cross can not be overstated. In it He gave His perfect self up for us out of perfect love. What He did is described as  a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God. In contrast to me and my sin, His perfect offering is a good and pleasant smell to God. In other words, the perfume of the cross that now works for me replaces the stench of death that in the past worked in me. Thank You Lord that because of the cross I smell good.