|
A Pastor’s Perspective
“The
Smell of Victory”
by Mike Hill, pastor of
Calvary Chapel Aberdeen (mjhill@ida.net)
Listen to CALVARY RADIO 90.3 FM
Imagine
the scene. A
beaming general followed by a huge procession of
military soldiers proudly marching to the cadence of a
cheering crowd intermingled with wafts of smoke arising
from an endless supply of burning incense.
In the Roman culture, it was a common practice to
have a triumphal procession for the conquering general
after a successful battle.
The Roman military would go out to distant lands
and bring back home remnants of their victory.
Their conquest prizes included people held
captive in makeshift cages on wheels.
The prisoners who were positioned in the front of
the parade were destined to be set free and become Roman
citizens. However,
the fate of the prisoners in the cage at the back of the
procession line was death. They were scheduled for execution.
Imagine
what the aroma of incense meant for the different people
in the crowd. To
those in allegiance with Rome and its general the
fragrance was the smell of victory.
In contrast, to the enemies of Rome, it was the
smell of death. I
suppose Paul had a similar picture in mind when he
penned these powerful words:
“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” (2Corinthians 2:14).
Through
God’s power and grace, Paul viewed believers as a
triumphal procession intermingled with wafts of the
fragrant incense of the knowledge of Jesus being spread
everywhere. How
often does God lead His people in triumph?
Always. Where?
In every place. Who are His people? Those
who are “in” Christ.
Paul
continues this flow of thought when he clarifies that “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” (2Corinthians 2:15-16a).
The aroma of incense to the victorious Romans was
the smell of triumph.
To those destined for execution, it was the smell
of death. The
preaching of the Gospel is the smell of victory to those
who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by faith. To
those who remain indifferent with a heart of unbelief
and do not place their complete faith and trust in Jesus
for the forgiveness of their sins, it is the smell of
death. Why? They will face Christ as Judge and die in their sins (John
3:36; Revelation 20:15).
To
you, is the knowledge of Jesus the aroma of life or the
aroma of death? Are
you “in” Christ because Christ is “in” you?
(John 14:17, 23; Colossians 1:27b; Revelation 3:20).
Or, are you “outside” of Christ, not wanting
anything to do with Him or attempting to make it to
heaven by your good works?
Give your heart to Jesus today.
As believers, make the most of every opportunity
to share the things you experience with Jesus and learn
from His Word with others (Mark 5:19).
His fragrance will be diffused through your life
and attention will be drawn to His grace and love.
|
