2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
Such interesting wording in today’s verse. I had to read it a few times over to get a real feel for it and then read a few commentaries before stopping to sit down and write.
Again we see we are thanking God, first and foremost. We are recognizing His role in what has taken place and giving Him the thanks that are due.
Paul then went on to say He always leads us as captives in Christ’s procession. We are voluntary slaves to Christ. We have all believed in Him and what He did and have repented and been redeemed through His blood. And because of that we put ourselves into a position where we are willing slaves to Him.
Paul also compared the procession to a Roman victory march. The generals always led their captives in a triumphal procession and that is what Paul compared us to – captives in His triumphal procession. Rather than a parade of defeat with defeated enemies as captives, Christ is leading us in a triumphant, victory march.
Then we see that God uses us to spread the aroma of Him everywhere. Isn’t that some amazing imagery? The aroma of the knowledge of God that we are spreading throughout the world. We are spreading the triumphant, salvation-bringing aroma to those we engage with. To believers this aroma is sweet because it brings with it salvation for which we are grateful. To non-believers, this aroma hints at the death they will face if they do not repent of their ways and trust in Jesus as their Savior. But hopefully, the aroma is not one that turns them away, but rather brings them into the family of God.
Are you spreading a triumphant, pleasant, life-saving aroma in your community? Let’s make sure we are doing our part to live for Him so that others can see holy living and how we are different from the world. And let’s be thankful that we have been led in victorious triumph with Christ as our Leader.
Be the first to comment