Triumph

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? - 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Life certainly doesn't feel like we are on the victory lap. Most of the time we can't even see the finish line. Sure, most of the time we can't even see around the bend. We stumble and slip and fall and get off course and so on and so on.

But those victory laps are great, aren't they. The victor grabs a flag and runs around the stadium whole the crowds cheers and clap and stomp their feet and the bands play. They are quit a buzz.

Or so we hear.

The Romans had their own 'victory lap.' It was called 'The Triumph.' The conquering military leader would return of to the city. Everyone would be there to cheer and to honour him. Flower petals were laid out so that as us chariot rolled the the city the wheels and the horses feet would crush the petals and send out an aroma.

This is the victory lap that Paul writes about.

He writes that no matter how we may feel at the moment God ALWAYS leads us in triumph in Christ - always.

As we ride about in the great Triumph Parade we too emit a fragrance. We all know how smells can bring up memories and emotions.  Our fragrance of victory has an impact on all those around us and it affects different people in different ways. To believers we are the aroma of life leading to life. Our lives encourage and bless them  The victory aroma stirs up and encourages other believers.

But to the lost the aroma is different. We remind them of their life of death leading to death. No wonder the lost are uncomfortable with our presence. No wonder there is so much opposition. We remind them of where they are bound without Christ. No wonder Christians are being killed by the scores all over the world today.

Our Victory Parade is not just for us to feel good about our victory. It has, or should have, an impact on all their around us.