We are to spread the beauty of Christ. As we live for him we show the triumph of his grace in our lives. When people see the transformation in us that shows them the power of God at work in our hearts. That, in turn, spreads the beauty of Christ wherever we go.
2 Corinthians 2:14
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”
There is an interesting backstory to this verse. Some translations say “leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession.” This is a reference to the practice by Roman generals who led a procession, a victory parade, through town after he returned from conquering another army. He would come on a white horse (which indicates victory), followed by his troops, then the plunder, and finally the captives. The people of the town would gather and cheer during his triumphant procession.
Lead Us to Victory
Jesus will return on a white horse (Rev 19:11). When He returns we will follow behind him. He will lead us in triumph over Satan and this world. This is pretty amazing considering we were once slaves to sin. God is able to take slaves and transform them into victorious soldiers. That victory is available in everybody’s life. We can have victory today over our sin, addictions, and struggles but it must come through Jesus. It takes recognition of our sin, our repentance over it, and our submission under His Lordship.
Open Vessel
There is another cool facet to this victory parade. He chooses to use us to diffuse his fragrance. We can be a vessel through which the hope of Christ is shared. As we are filled with the Holy Spirit and learn and obey his word, we spread that fragrance everywhere we go. People are desperately looking for that in their lives. We don’t diffuse that fragrance by being a “good person”, but by being transformed by the power of the Gospel and living out that truth in our lives.