“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.” ~ II Corinthians 2:14
REFERENCE:
My late pastor used to say, “If you were the only bible someone had to read, would they follow Jesus?” He would often pray, “May your kind increase.” Anytime he prayed that, I went home and wondered what the church would be like if everyone was like me; it made me shape up. If someone copied everything you did, would they end up ‘at’ Jesus? You may not know it yet, but as a child of God, your life is a message read by everyone you come across daily.
Paul, a great preacher, writer, and teacher, said that the most common way God diffused His knowledge through him was by using his very life as the message, not his words. He later said the same about his Corinthian audience; “Clearly you are an epistle of Christ…written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.”
This truth is a call to be deliberate about your choices and how you live your life. Someone is watching, and they need the message of the saving power of Jesus Christ and His gospel. St. Francis said, “Preach the gospel everywhere you go, and if necessary, use words.” Your lifestyle is more effective than your words. Let your life reveal God’s love, good character, and victory over sin.
Paul said your life can be an aroma of life or death. Life, attracting men to Christ, or death, bringing conviction to those who live in rebellion to God. Decide to walk in triumph always, moving from victory to victory in your endeavors. Refuse to be defeated or remain in failure. God wants your life to be a demonstration of the Victory of Jesus wherever you find yourself.
Jesus defeated sickness, poverty, failure, fear, satanic bondages, mental oppression, etc., on the cross; let your life show it. Let your life be a sweet perfume of God’s goodness and your testimony, attracting many to Christ. I forbid the offensive odor of poverty, shame, failed marriage, wayward children, ministry/career failure, etc., around you. Nothing in your life will make people reproach my God, but you shall have an enviable witness. Your life is a message.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
II Corinthians 3:1-6, I Corinthians 11:1, and II Timothy 3:10-11
CONFESSION:
“An irresistible aroma of favor is upon my life. I shall not be a victim of circumstances. I am a perpetual victor. Jesus will lead me in victory today and every day. When people see me, they will see the hand of God upon my life. The Greater One is in me and for me; so, I cannot fail.”
