The Fragrance of Christ

 Judges 13-16; 2 Corinthians 2 

“Now when I went to Troas…But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved…”

2 Corinthians 2:12, 14, 15

Following his trip to Troas, and the night vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, Paul traveled to Philippi where he was put in a jail cell for preaching the Gospel. While in jail, Paul was beaten; yet, as he worshiped the Lord at midnight, the reality of his faith was an illustration that Paul was being led in triumphal procession in Christ, regardless of his circumstances. The inner reality of the presence of the resurrected Christ was stronger to Paul than the pain and rejection of his external circumstances. It is through the surrender of our will to God, and our daily death-to-self, that the fragrance of the aroma of Christ is expressed. 

Are we willing to be led into a jail cell for the fragrance of Christ to be expressed? 

Sometimes our most painful circumstances are opportunities for the fragrance of Christ to be most clearly expressed.

“Lord Jesus, your death and resurrection is my story. Express your life in and through me, for your glory.”