.... Christ always leads us in triumphal procession ...

The full verse is “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere”( 2 Corinthians 2:14). You have probably heard that we don't wrestle towards, victory, we wrestle from victory. This is one of the verses that show it's true. If we are defeated, we have not been lead there by Christ, so it must be the other fella. It's his agenda! But Jesus came to give fullness life (John 10:10). This doesn't mean we will not have troubles and difficulties, but if we are being lead by the Lord, He is leading us to rise above it all. It's not academic, Paul lived it. In prison, and in danger of being put to death for his faith, he writes an epistle to the Philippians that just bursts with joy. He does not seek martyrdom, but neither does he dread it. To paraphrase Philippians 1:21 for me life is joy filled and abundant, nevertheless to die,  and so to be with the Lord,  is something I look forward to.

Note the “us” in this morning's verse. Paul of course lead an extraordinary life, but the “us” shows that  the Lord wants each and every one of us to lead extraordinary lives. Unless Jesus was a husker, then He is leading you and I,  to fullness of life in our own individual destinies for tHim. We too, when we are in absolute surrender,  are being lead to fullness of life even in the midst of trials (James 1:2). It does not mean we will never weep, or never struggle. However, we are to see pain as a barrier the other side of which is joy. And with His help and leading,  we are to push through the pain to Joy. This is what Jesus, our forerunner did (Hebrews 12:2). 

The widow who has joy in the midst of her tears, the one who is  terminally ill but who has a peace and a radiance, the falsely or even rightly accused bearing up under it all without bitterness, such are those who spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. These things cause others to want what we have even if they don't know that it is Christ in us,  the hope of glory.  It is a fragrance, it goes beyond the rational, and it penetrates deep into others hearts and lives.  It challenges them. It is one of life's many crossroads, for depending on how they respond, it is a fragrance leading to spiritual life, or it is a fragrance leading to spiritual death (verse 16). It causes the heart to be softened, or to be hardened.

Father, Paul cries out “Who is sufficient for these things” (verse 16).  It's not just with our words that we preach the gospel Lord, it is with out lives. So many people are put off Christ by Christians, may I not be one of them Lord. To think that my life may provoke a fragrance of death is unbearable at times Lord. As much as is within me I do not want to be one that causes even one little one to stumble.  I need Your help Lord,  thank You that You always lead us in  triumphal procession, so that when I follow,  I can leave the results to You.  And I give you thanks and praise for this,  and many other things,  in Jesus Name Amen.