2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
He leads us in triumph. That word means an acclamatory procession. (Acclamatory – expressing strong and enthusiastic praise or approval; a noisy or enthusiastic expression of approval for someone or something.) Imagine the loudest parade you’ve ever been too. And now imagine your life being that parade for Jesus everywhere you go. This triumphant parade through life is sending out a fragrance into the earth.
A smell is a sensory representation of a thing. For instance, the smell of a hamburger isn’t an actual hamburger. But the smell of it reminds you of its taste and while the smell may be pleasant, it isn’t satisfying. It leaves you longing for something more tangible-an actual hamburger that you can eat and enjoy. So it is with us. The fragrance of Christ through our lives isn’t meant to satisfy others, but to make them hungry for Him.
There may be some followers of Christ who feel themselves to be always swallowed up by some trouble or temptation or fear. They watch the parade going by but feel too weighed down to join in. But there is grace to be fragrant here too – even in our most difficult times.
Who is sufficient for these things? Certainly not us. But in all things the grace of God is sufficient to manifest the fragrance of Christ through His people.
He is my Delight 