An Aroma of Death and Life - Proverbs 6-7 and II Corinthians 2
In II Corinthians 2 Paul used the illustration of a Roman military parade to teach the believers an important truth. We need to hear that truth today. When the Romans conquered a city or a country, they would have a victory parade called a Triumph. The victorious general would ride in first on a white horse. He would be followed by his troops, and then at the end was the defeated army. All the while, they would be burning an incense that could be smelled throughout the whole area. When the Romans smelled the incense, it meant victory. When the conquered people smelled the incense it meant defeat. It was a very effective way to convince the whole population that Rome was now in control.
In life, believers are the victors through Jesus. As we live by God's wisdom and His commands we give off an aroma to those around us. To those who are living lives of sin, our aroma reminds them of the reality of spiritual death. That is why they do not necessarily like to be around us. However, to other believers our lives are the fragrance of eternal life in Christ. Therefore, we need to live a life of victory in Jesus, and we need to be aware of the results or the aroma of our lives to those around us.
Proverbs 6 and 7 lists 7 things God hates. It outlines other sins, and again, it warns of the danger of sexual immorality and adultery. The truth is that God wants all of us to see the seriousness of sin. He wants us to know that He hates sin, and the person who commits sexual immorality destroys his own soul. The Bible says it costs him his life. God shows that person about sin in several ways, but one way is the testimony of those who reject the way of sin and find victory through Jesus. We are not perfect, but we are forgiven, and He gives us the ability to live for Him. We need to make sure that our lives are an strong aroma of victory in Jesus.
II Corinthians 2 has a vague reference to the man who was committing sexual immorality with his step-mother. He had already been put out of the church fellowship, because he would not repent. Then, Paul tells the people that they should forgive him. He must have come to repentance, but some people were still not having anything to do with him. Paul said to reaffirm their love for him, and then, he gives the illustration of the Roman parade and the aroma. What was he saying? I believe, he was telling the Christians not to be harsh toward this man, because their lives would remind him of his sin. He needed to be encouraged to live victoriously in Christ. I think this applies to all of us. People around us will see us living the truth. That will convict them. What we need to do is to tell them how to know Christ and how to overcome their sin through Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 8-9 and II Corinthians 3.
In life, believers are the victors through Jesus. As we live by God's wisdom and His commands we give off an aroma to those around us. To those who are living lives of sin, our aroma reminds them of the reality of spiritual death. That is why they do not necessarily like to be around us. However, to other believers our lives are the fragrance of eternal life in Christ. Therefore, we need to live a life of victory in Jesus, and we need to be aware of the results or the aroma of our lives to those around us.
Proverbs 6 and 7 lists 7 things God hates. It outlines other sins, and again, it warns of the danger of sexual immorality and adultery. The truth is that God wants all of us to see the seriousness of sin. He wants us to know that He hates sin, and the person who commits sexual immorality destroys his own soul. The Bible says it costs him his life. God shows that person about sin in several ways, but one way is the testimony of those who reject the way of sin and find victory through Jesus. We are not perfect, but we are forgiven, and He gives us the ability to live for Him. We need to make sure that our lives are an strong aroma of victory in Jesus.
II Corinthians 2 has a vague reference to the man who was committing sexual immorality with his step-mother. He had already been put out of the church fellowship, because he would not repent. Then, Paul tells the people that they should forgive him. He must have come to repentance, but some people were still not having anything to do with him. Paul said to reaffirm their love for him, and then, he gives the illustration of the Roman parade and the aroma. What was he saying? I believe, he was telling the Christians not to be harsh toward this man, because their lives would remind him of his sin. He needed to be encouraged to live victoriously in Christ. I think this applies to all of us. People around us will see us living the truth. That will convict them. What we need to do is to tell them how to know Christ and how to overcome their sin through Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 8-9 and II Corinthians 3.