Today’s Reading: Judges 13; Judges 14; Judges 15; Judges 16; 2 Corinthians 2
[The story of Samson in Judges is a study of a man with very human failings. He had two prevailing problems: lust and temper. His life story is a tragedy brought about by these problems and the fact that he let them control him. But today I am journaling from 2 Corinthians.]
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
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. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life…
Observation: Paul is joyfully reacting to finding Titus in Macedonia. But the truth he shares is universal. Here is the idea: God is leading a kind of victory parade and we are a part of it. Like the Rose Parade, there is a definite fragrance that is apparent to everyone. But while everyone smells it, not everybody likes it. Some, the ones “being saved,” think it is wonderful, while others, “those who are perishing,” think it stinks!
Application: As we are lead by God, our lives are to project a noticeable something that people cannot miss. It either draws them to Jesus or causes them to be repelled and push away. But our lives should never be neutral. We are not to blend in with the cultural stream. Your life and my life ought to cause other people to choose a side. Not because of some quirk or strange behavior but by the pervasive beauty of the Spirit of God lived out in our everyday lives. We are to be divinely different. Not everyone will like us, but our lives should make it difficult for people to be indifferent not just to us, but to our Lord.
Prayer: Lord, deepen our passion and dedication to You so that we stand out from the crowd. May we so dramatically reflect Your character that others cannot help but notice a difference in our lives. And may that difference draw people to that moment of decision with You. Give us souls, Lord. Make our lives a victory parade that no one can ignore.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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