A Stench or a Fragrance?

In the days when Paul wrote much of the New Testament, and certainly in the ancient history of man, it was a very common occurrence especially among Roman rulers, that when they had taken their army and had overcome the enemy, they would come back to their own village or community in a parade…a processional of sorts. The watchman on the wall could see them coming for miles. The commander in chief would be on a horse, a white horse specifically, and leading his army. Behind him would follow the captives from the conquered city. His soldiers would gather beside them to keep them in line and several of them would roll huge vessels of incense that would continue to burn as the parade would march through town.

Finally on the other side of town they would put the captives in a prison or jail to keep them there and the soldiers would perhaps go home to their families to celebrate the victory. The parade was over. But, there was still a lingering scent in the air of the incense that had come through town along with the victory procession.

The vessels of incense were included in the march so there would be a reminder that there had been victory. The scent of victory lingered in the air; it was a very thick aromatic and sweet smell. All day long through the street remained the reminder that there had been a victory.

"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 and those who are perishing." (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)

Paul bases this scripture on his military experience which included the lingering fragrance of incense.

We are to be the aroma of Christ, that's why we're here. However, this begs a question: Is your life evidence of His victory?

As the "fragrance" (lingering evidence) of Christ's victory, we are called to spread the reminder of the Conquering King wherever we go. Paul reminds us that the Lord always leads us into triumphal procession, but do we always follow where He leads? We are guaranteed victory if we follow Him since He always leads us in that victory march. There is no other path that guarantees victory!

Regardless of what you are facing in your life, there is victory for you. It has been set aside for you. You do not have inevitable defeat in front of you. Defeat is not of God! He is incapable of leading you to defeat. Christ only marches in victor; He is the Sovereign Victorious One. It is our responsibility to find where He's marching and get in line with Him as our Commander in Chief.

Be the evidence that He has overcome the world and allow the lingering aroma of His victory to remain everywhere you go.

Dear Father, may Your victory be witnessed in my life bringing glory to You, always! In Jesus' name I pray, amen and amen!

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved