Loss Is an Opportunity to Spread the Aroma of Hope

“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.” 2 Corinthians 2:14

The Fragrance of the Knowledge of Christ

Faith leans into words such as “always.” Christ always leads us in triumphal procession. Always. In the depths of loss, are you willing to have his fragrance permeate your environment?

I remember the first night after the loss of my wife and how God brought words to mind from the song, “Forever Reign.” The line, “You are love, you are love, on display for all to see…” has come back to mind many times. Almost as a rallying cry. Almost as a mantra. On display. Others are watching.

“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved…a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

The Aroma of Christ to God Among Those Who are Being Saved

Christians emit Christ’s aroma to God. The outcome is that their words and deeds lead others to Christ. New Christians come to Christ through the testimony of Christians. The fragrance of the knowledge of Christ is an aroma to those who taste of salvation. If you have the gift of faith, you will willingly and joyfully repent and receive the gift of salvation. It smells good and attractive, and you embrace salvation. Christ’s aroma is an aroma of life.

“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who…are perishing…a fragrance from death to death… Who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

The Aroma of Christ to God Among Those Who are Perishing

Conversely, the aroma of Christ to God emits offense to those who are obstinate and faithless. Unwilling to repent. Where those of faith embrace the aroma of Christ, those without faith reject the aroma of Christ. They are perishing, and the aroma is a fragrance of death. Eternal separation. Ultimate death. Christ’s aroma, to the faithless, is an aroma of death.

“For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

Commissioned as a Fragrance of Christ

I have learned in my journey through loss that I have to doggedly hold on in faith. Again, faith leans into that word “always.” Christ always leads us in triumphal procession. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Candidly, these things are not seen. Faith is believing something while not seeing it. Faith versus sight is ground zero of the battle.

And yet, we are commissioned as men of sincerity. We truly believe what we do not see. We truly believe what we’ve been told. We take God and his word by faith. Without sight.

And by faith we receive the commissioning, the compulsion, to speak of Christ in the sight of God. In sincerity. Not like peddlers.

If you’re facing loss, you are being given a commission to walk by faith in triumphal procession. You are being given a compulsion to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. His love is on display, and you are spreading the aroma of hope.