The Daily Fountain Devotional Thursday, August 4, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Thursday, August 4, 2022
Thursday, August 4,2022
TOPIC: THE AROMA OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
TEXT: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 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.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Thursday, August 4, 2022
INTRODUCTION TEXT
In today's passage, Paul likened himself and everyone who preaches the gospel of Christ as an 'aroma.' The Greek word for 'aroma' /osman/ refers to a smell given off which affects those who come in contact with it. The preaching of the word of God is the aroma that is emanating from Christians. It is a sweet-smelling aroma to those who favourably respond to the preaching of the gospel, and to those who reject a smell of destruction (v.15).
Paul used his knowledge of the Romans to explain the two outcomes of the aroma. When the Romans returned triumphantly from battle, they would burn the incense of victory to their gods. Some of their captives were set free, while others were executed. The fragrance of their incense, therefore, meant life to some and death to others. Though, the aroma of the gospel of Christ is meant to give life but anyone who rejects it is already condemned (v.16; Jn. 3:18). Christians are the vessels through which God propagates the aroma of the gospel of Christ (Mat. 28:19-20). Our lives ought to reveal Christ to others. We should also be mindful not to preach the gospel of Christ for material gains as some do, rather we should see it as a commission from God (v. 17).
Prayer: Help me O Lord, that my life may possess the aroma of your word, so that my life may be a pleasing aroma to the world for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.