On Display for All to See

2 Corinthians 2:14–16 14 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. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

A Roman Triumphal Procession is the return of a victorious general or commander from battle. He, accompanied by his loyal troops, return with the spoils of victory – livestock, produce, possessions, etc. Defeated soldiers along with some of the occupants of overthrown cities walk in the procession, some will be killed and some will become slaves. They are required to carry burners of incense spreading the aroma of triumph everywhere. For some this is the smell of victory; to others it is the smell of defeat and death.

God’s gospel grace in Jesus is victorious over the power of our sin and the bondage of our flesh. As those experiencing the effectual call of the gospel, both our eternal destiny and our behavior in life are transformed. We now live with the hope of eternal blessing in the care of our God and we are inspired to put transformed lives on display for everyone to hear and see.

The gratitude and honor, for the gospel victory Jesus accomplishes for us, all goes to God. Our new gospel lives make God’s eternal plan of salvation personal and observable. Our new ability to understand the God’s truth and walk in God’s truth sets us apart from the thoughts and behaviors of those who reject the gospel hope we have in and through Jesus. It is in this way that we are gloriously “being saved” each and every day.

Although our new way of life is repugnant to the people of this world, there is delight and satisfaction enjoyed by all who join us in our daily walk of humble dependence on Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Everyone freed from the penalty and power of sin by God’s grace, live and communicate gospel truth as a way of walking in newness of life. In this way, we are put on display for all to see and hear.

Putting our redeemed lives on display for all to see is what God’s gospel grace does for us. It is not what we do for God. We are completely insufficient for such activity, but God’s grace to us in Jesus grants all the sufficiency needed to spread the knowledge of Him everywhere. As God leads us in triumphal procession, may His glorious name be praised!