Happy Thanksgiving!
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge." (2 Corinthians 2:14)
Thanksgiving is here again, and I was reminded of the above verse. Paul was giving thanks to God for the “fragrance of His knowledge”. A fragrance that can flow from one person to another regardless of culture or background. And I am NOT talking about Christians going to church and singing “cume by ya my Lord”. I am referring to those few in this life who actually believe that good will eventually triumph over evil, if not in this life, then in the next.
That “knowledge” and faith in a future triumph manifests itself in the form of love, joy, patience, kindness, etc. and that lifestyle “diffuses” the “fragrance” of hope to all around them.
Thanksgiving is here again, and I was reminded of the above verse. Paul was giving thanks to God for the “fragrance of His knowledge”. A fragrance that can flow from one person to another regardless of culture or background. And I am NOT talking about Christians going to church and singing “cume by ya my Lord”. I am referring to those few in this life who actually believe that good will eventually triumph over evil, if not in this life, then in the next.
That “knowledge” and faith in a future triumph manifests itself in the form of love, joy, patience, kindness, etc. and that lifestyle “diffuses” the “fragrance” of hope to all around them.
Just as there are pleasing physical fragrances that can be noticed by our physical senses, there are also pleasing spiritual fragrances. Most people attempt to put on this fragrance like cologne when they put on their religious clothes, but a person cannot put on this "fragrance". You either have it or you do not, and those who do diffuse this fragrance to others only by the grace of God. Those who have this spiritual fragrance are rare and generally do not even realize they are projecting this wonderful aroma to those with whom they come in contact.
Each of us will meet only a hand full of these people in this present evil age. Nevertheless, all mankind are destined to diffuse this fragrance when we have been resurrected and are transformed into the image of God.
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory… So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body…just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.” (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:42-49)
I am thankful for those whom God allows to diffuse the fragrance of hope in this life, but I am even more thankful that it is the destiny of all to have this "fragrance" and "triumph in Christ"…as a gift to mankind flowing from His Grace.
“…because of the surpassing grace of God...Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:14-15)
Each of us will meet only a hand full of these people in this present evil age. Nevertheless, all mankind are destined to diffuse this fragrance when we have been resurrected and are transformed into the image of God.
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory… So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body…just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.” (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:42-49)
I am thankful for those whom God allows to diffuse the fragrance of hope in this life, but I am even more thankful that it is the destiny of all to have this "fragrance" and "triumph in Christ"…as a gift to mankind flowing from His Grace.
“…because of the surpassing grace of God...Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:14-15)