But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession.
Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 2 Cor. 2:14-15 (NLT)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Cor. 4:7 (ESV)
Heavenly Father, Paul’s words describe how we want to live till you take us home, or Jesus returns. May we increasingly emit the fragrance of Jesus and the aroma of grace. Indeed, as the gospel does its work in our hearts, may we smell less and less like selfishness, fear, and unforgiveness.
So keep us humble, grateful, and gentle, Father. Thank you for making us Christ’s captives and hope’s prisoners. Thank you for rescuing us from our sin and death, and from the illusion of self-sufficiency and the lie of self-righteousness.
Free us to love well whoever we’re with, Father. As these Scriptures remind us, some will experience your grace as fragrant and life giving; others will respond quite differently. May the gospel be the only thing that’s offensive about us. Free us to love one and all alike, and not give up on anybody. Help us to truly believe the gospel can change anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Continue to slay the “approval suck” in us—that part of us that can treat the approval of man like our favorite ice cream, or drug. We want to love to your glory, serve with your joy, and grow in your grace. Thank you, Father, for the über-privilege of being known, loved, and delighted in by you. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ wonderful and merciful name.
