August
12th We
triumph in Christ
14:
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,
and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15: For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are
saved, and in them that perish: 16: To the one we are the savour of
death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And
who is sufficient for these things? 17: For we are not as many, which
corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the
sight of God speak we in Christ.
Lastly
Paul breaks forth into thanksgiving to God for him own life and
ministry. Paul was ever grateful for the honour of serving Christ
especially in the light of his perceived unworthiness. He says may
God be thanked who always causes us to triumph. Christ causes our
ministry to overcome all obstacles and situations. And He makes known
to all the sweet smell of our ministry which is the revelation of
Christ, in every place where we serve Him. Our ministry in the Word
is to the Lord a sweet smell to those who are saved and to those who
are unbelievers. To unbelievers our ministry is the smell of death
which leads to destruction. But to believers our ministry is the
smell of life which leads to abundant life. Paul then asks a
rhetorical question – Who is sufficient in themselves for all this?
(well Paul although he knows his own inability and unworthiness never
the less has no mock humility, he knows his ministry is a blessing to
his hearers but he does not put this down to the power of his own
personality or the cleverness of his oratory. Rather he realises that
it is blessed on the basis of three things, First the beauty of his
subject – Christ, Second the enabling of the Holy Spirit in which
Christ is preached in power and lastly that his success in ministry
is measured in direct proportion to his willingness to submit to
walking in the Spirit. Lastly he says we are not like many that l
could mention who spoil the message of God but we in complete
sincerity in the presence of God we preach and teach Christ. We have
no other subject but Him.
- Why do we always triumph in Christ Jesus?
- What a 'sweet savour' to Christ?
- How does Paul speak of his relation to the word of God.
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