20 SEPTEMBER

THE FRAGRANCE OF HIS KNOWLEDGE

“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.” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)

The Roman triumph was a civil ceremony and religious rite of ancient Rome, held to publicly celebrate and sanctify the success of a military commander who had led Roman forces to victory. On the day of his triumph, the general wore a crown of laurel and the all–purple, gold–embroidered triumphal regalia that identified him as near–divine or near–kingly. He rode in a four–horse chariot through the streets of Rome in unarmed procession with his army, as well as captives and the spoils of war. At Jupiter’s temple, he offered sacrifice amidst a cloud of incense.

Republican morality required that, despite these extraordinary honours, the general conduct himself with dignified humility. The aroma of the incense was sweet to the victors but was the smell of slavery and death to the captives.

In the same way, Christians are a royal priesthood whom God always leads in triumph in Christ. Our daily lives and message are like the sacrificial incense whose aroma is sweetness and life to the redeemed but repulsion and death to the perishing and unbelieving.

We ride on the wings of the Holy Spirit to declare the Good News. Just like the general, God requires that we carry out our assignments faithfully, with dignified humility, and without seeking undue publicity.

Beware, when reading the Bible or praying becomes a foul smell; rise up and cry out for mercy and restoration!

ACTION: Live daily in the consciousness of your victory in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER: May the message of Christ always be an aroma of victory, leading to life for me!