2 Corinthians – Chapter 2

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. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 – The image Paul was seeking to portray was that of a victory parade. The Romans, after a large victory, would come through Rome in a grand parade. One aspect of the parade would be the burning of incense to their gods. For so many in Rome that fragrance would be beautiful, connected with thoughts of victory and blessing. Yet for some, like the Roman prisoners-of-war or slaves, that same fragrance would be connected to death and hopelessness. Same fragrance, but different ways it was taken in. Such is the message of the Gospel. We, the carriers of the Gospel, are the aroma of Christ, the fragrance of God, to the world around us. They get to know God through our lives and witness. To those who believe or are open to the Gospel, it’s a sweet, live-giving aroma. Yet for those in this world that reject the message…we stink. They hear our words and see our witness, they are smelling our aroma, yet it smells like death to them for they want nothing to do with Jesus. Regardless though of how some may take our sharing of the Gospel, it is the message of hope to a world that desperately needs hope. While it may not “smell” like they want it too, pray their hearts will be opened so they can see for themselves the beauty of this message they are in rejection of currently. Keep living faithful, and keep making everywhere you go smell like the hope of Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3125

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing 2 Corinthians 2:15 – What is the scent that you are leaving in the places you’re at? Like when walking into a coffee shop and the overwhelming (yet amazing) smell of coffee hits you, you know coffee is close by. How about when people walk near you? Is the “aroma of Christ” something they sense when around you? Like they can tell something is different about you and when you leave a place the place is different in a good way because you were there. Did you leave the scent of Christ behind? Or did you leave the scent of sin and death (hurt, selfishness, pride) like the world does? Ask yourself, what do the people “smell” after I leave? Is it a scent of love and grace or a scent of selfishness and hate? What are you leaving behind and is it helping or hurting people? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac

…so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 2 Corinthians 2:11 – So our enemy is working against us, yet we are not unaware of how he is trying to tear us down. From the passage apparently we are to do something so we won’t be outwitted by our enemy. So what’s this “something” we are to do? Forgive each other. Apparently it’s not only Paul that knows the damages not forgiving someone can cause, but also our enemy and he is seeking to outwit you and lead you astray by tempting you to hold onto your hatred and grudges. Never forget how deeply you’ve been forgiven by Jesus. Yes they may have hurt you, but when you’ve been forgiven for all the wrong you’ve done like you have, you have no right to hold forgiveness away from someone else. Today, when you think about the person you need to forgive, think about what your relationship with God would look like if Jesus hadn’t taken care of your sins. God didn’t want a separation between you and Himself and He also doesn’t want separation between His children because in that gap between us is where our enemy lies and works. Don’t give our enemy even a chance. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 720

For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. – 2 Corinthians 2:1 – Paul here is speaking about his efforts of coming to visit the church in Corinth. He though shares that he had made up his mind not to visit them at that time. Apparently there was some issues happening within the church and chose to wait to give them an opportunity to change through a more gentle letter than a firmer, in-person rebuke. Either way, Paul saw brothers in Christ not walking in a manner that they should and took upon himself the role of helping his brothers know the right way to live. If we ever want to see the church of today continue to thrive, grow, and impact the world, this must be a staple in the life of the church. Rather than dismissing our brother’s sin as not our problem or just letting fear hold us back from saying something, let’s step in and say something. Let’s not see the church walking away from Jesus and just be alright with it. So if there is sin you’re seeing in someone’s story, speak up. Also be open and thankful when someone does this in your life, they are just seeking to be faithful to scripture and they love you more than everyone who didn’t say anything. Let’s be the church that sees the speck in our brother’s eyes and sees the log in our own eyes and isn’t content with either staying where they are. I love you, but Jesus love you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2062