14-17 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.”
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (NIV)
God gives us plenty of good reasons to sense victory ahead. He can flat-out coach. Note four crucial markers in today’s Scripture that can raise our confidence and keep us on the winning side.
- STRONG STRIDE: God invites us to get in step with His Son, and march with a winner. Jesus takes us from His victory to ours. He defines a winning stride way better than the swag we come up with ourselves.
“He always leads us in triumphal procession.” So walk with a winner to win.
- SWEET SMELL: The smell of victory is sweet. The smell of defeat is like death.
God wants us so permeated with Christ’s presence that when people see us, they’ll smell a Jesus-win coming their way too (or avoid us like the plague because they play for our opponent, the enemy of our souls).
SINCERE SPEECH: Words that carry winning weight are said with sincerity. Come from the heart if you want it to work. Be known for your sincerity, not clichés.
SPIRIT-SENT: If you have your choice between doing something for God or being sent by God, always choose sent.
Sign up for godly missions. Get sent. You win way more this way. Being sent implies significance. Being sent by God carries the weight needed to get the job done.
A man or woman on this kind of mission is a truly dangerous person.
Reflect: Are you running with winners or losers? In step with Jesus? Are you near Him enough to smell like Him? Is the winning aroma of Jesus rubbing off you onto others?
Practice sincerity. Get away from only shallow chatter and small talk. Bring a fresh sincerity to your conversations with teammates, colleagues, family and friends.
Do a motives check. Be sure God is sending you into battle. Don’t be in the habit of launching out on your own and asking Him to join you.
A prayer to consider: LORD, I want my stride to match Yours. I want to smell like You … and for others to pick up that scent too. Make my words land with sincerity.
Unlock me so I can speak life, not death; significance, not shallowness. Don’t let me keep going in any direction without Your Spirit sending me.
Build my confidence around living like this. I want to keep getting real wins in life for Your glory and my joy in You, Amen.
