Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 – Aroma Of Christ – Growing As Disciples
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. And who is equal to such a task? 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)
Fragrance
What do you smell like? Of all the questions you could have asked me; I would have never predicted that question. Why are you asking me that question? What do you mean by asking me that question? What kind of answer are you looking for from me? I have no idea of how to begin to answer that question. I will help you out by asking you more questions? That would be great. Is there a pleasing aroma to your life? Are others drawn to the kind of life you are living? Is there anything about you that stands out in an attractive way? Are others inquisitive about you, because they see something good and positive and right in you? Now, I am beginning to understand your questions. Let me hear some of your answers. Before I came to know you as my Savior and Lord I am sure that my life did not smell good. How so? My life had a selfish, self-centered, self-reliant, and self-absorbed sinful odor to it. I did not stand out as dramatically different from anyone else in the world. I lived for myself. I sought my own comfort and pleasure. I consumed things and used people. I went where I wanted. I did what I wanted. Everything about my life revolved around me. I was the center of my own universe. There was certainly nothing about my life that was pleasing to you or appealing to others. I’m sad to say that I was not the least bit troubled by the selfish and sinful odor of my life. My life stunk and I did not even know it. That’s not good.
What has changed about you? Everything has changed about me. You have changed me. You are changing me. You are making me to be a completely new and different person. You are changing me from the inside out. My heart and mind and life are different because of you. My thoughts and words and deeds are different because of you. Why is that? You are now my Savior and Lord. You have broken the power of sin over my life. You are now leading me in victory. How so? I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I want to do what is pleasing to you. What is pleasing to me? You want me to love others just as you have loved me. How does your life now smell? I hope and believe that my life is a pleasing aroma to you and an appealing fragrance to others. I can confidently say this only because you are living your life in and through me. You are making me to be a pleasing aroma and appealing fragrance in the world so that others will be drawn to you. That is my prayer. That is my hope. That is what I believe you are doing in and through me as you lead me in your victory. Yes, I have. Yes, I am. Yes, I will.
Lord, before I came to know you as my Savior and Lord my life smelled of evil and carnal worldliness. I lived a selfish and sinful life. Nothing about my life was pleasing to you or appealing to others. Use my life now to spread the fragrance of you everywhere. Amen
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Gratitude – 2 Corinthians 2-14-16 – Aroma Of Christ – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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