My Morning Bible Reading & Devotion

12 When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. 13 But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.

Ministers of the New Covenant

14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

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Why does Paul say that he and the apostles are “the aroma of death to death” and “the aroma of life to life”? 

In a Roman triumphal procession, the Roman general would display his treasures and captives amidst a cloud of incense burned for the gods. To the victors, the aroma was sweet; to the captives in the parade, who would be put to death after the procession, it was the smell of death. When Christians preach the gospel, it is good news to some and repulsive news to others. Believers recognize the life-giving fragrance of the message. To nonbelievers, however, it smells foul, like death—their own.

Tyndale. The One Year Bible Companion (p. 540). (Function). Kindle Edition.  

The Fragrance of Christ

In this passage, Paul describes how the Lord was opening doors for him to preach the gospel. Yet Paul was troubled because he could not find Titus, so he left Troas and went on to Macedonia.

Then Paul breaks into a beautiful statement of confidence:

“But thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 2:14

Paul reminds us that our ministry and our lives are ultimately not about our success, our circumstances, or even our ability to understand what God is doing. God is the One who leads us and gives us victory in Christ.

Paul also says that through us God spreads “the savour of his knowledge.” Just as a pleasant fragrance fills a room, our lives should carry the fragrance of Christ wherever we go. Some will respond positively to that message, while others will reject it, but our responsibility is to faithfully represent Christ.

Finally, Paul says:

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”

Paul's concern was not simply to preach something that people wanted to hear. He wanted to speak God's truth sincerely and faithfully, knowing that he was ultimately accountable to God.

My Devotion

There are times when I don't understand what God is doing. Paul had an opportunity to preach in Troas, yet he was troubled because Titus wasn't there. Instead of staying where he was, Paul moved on to Macedonia. Even an apostle could experience uncertainty, disappointment, and unanswered questions.

That encourages me because I know many think that if they are following God's will, everything should fall neatly into place. But that's not always how God works. Sometimes He leads us through circumstances we don't understand.

What I especially notice today is Paul's statement that God always causes us to triumph in Christ. That doesn't mean everything will go the way I want. It means that regardless of my circumstances, Christ has already won the ultimate victory.

I also want my life to have the “fragrance” of Christ. I may not always have an opportunity to preach a sermon or explain my faith to someone, but I can still represent Jesus by the way I speak, treat people, respond to difficulties, and live each day.

And finally, Paul's words challenge me to be sincere with God's Word. I don't want to simply say what is popular or what people want to hear. I want to speak and live according to God's truth, with sincerity and integrity before God.

Three Lessons for Me Today

1. God can lead me even when I don't understand the circumstances.
   An unexpected change in plans doesn't mean God has lost control.

2. My life should carry the fragrance of Christ.
   People should be able to see something of Jesus in the way I live, speak, and treat others.

3. Faithfulness matters more than popularity.
   Like Paul, I want to handle God's Word sincerely and faithfully, remembering that I ultimately answer to God—not to people.

🙏 Prayer

Lord, thank You that You are in control even when I don't understand where You are leading me. Help me to trust You when circumstances don't go according to my plans. May my life carry the fragrance of Christ wherever I go. Give me the courage to speak Your truth sincerely and faithfully, without changing it to make it more acceptable to others. Help me to live each day knowing that I am in Your presence and that my ultimate desire should be to please You. 

I pray that during the funeral today those attending that are not born again by the Spirit, might hear the gospel being preached and that Your Spirit might stir them to believe deeply in Jesus' death and resurrection than then gain a desire to follow Him. I can think of nothing that would honor BeeDee more than this.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

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