Read: II Corinthians 2:12-17
Think: We’ve been reading about Paul’s missionary travels for almost 90 days! Daily, we’ve seen the struggles that he and his companions have faced while sharing the Gospel. No matter if they had been well-received or quickly rejected, or if they’d been embraced or persecuted, they kept going. They knew their purpose — they were being used to “spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.” He admitted, though, not everything smelled “like roses” saying, “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. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.”
Act: Paul is breaking the news to us! We simply don’t know how a person will react to the Good News until we share it. For example, you might feel compelled to share the Gospel with someone, but they appear overly confident or angrily resistant or deeply disparaged and you get intimidated. Their “look” might not reveal what their heart is feeling—deeply wounded, extremely lonely, or very desperate for God. Please, never underestimate the power of the Gospel to save a life, soothe a soul, or heal a broken heart. Share the Good News willingly and unashamedly with the words God gives you in that moment. Don’t worry about how they will respond to the message. Whether they consider the fragrance of the Gospel to be sweet or dreadful—simply allow God to use you to spread His knowledge of Christ. Consider your obedient life as a wonderful fragrance rising up to God!
Pray: Dear Jesus, give me more and more confidence to share You with others. Remind me that my words don’t have to be perfect. Let me tell my story of how I came to know You and how deep Your love is for those who call on You. Give me great opportunities to be Your messenger. I love You so much. Amen.
Be full of faith today!
