Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
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. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 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? 17 For we are not, as so many,[b] peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.--2nd Corinthians 2:12-17
Dear Girls,
We see such a rare side of Paul here. Paul had no rest in his spirit! Sorry...but that encourages me! Isn't this the man who sings his way through prison stays? Paul's concerns for the church in Corinth and their reaction to his letter and his instructions caused Paul much unease in his spirit...so much so that he couldn't even give attention to the ministry opportunity God had placed in front of him. Paul was given an open door of ministry in Troas to preach the gospel but was so anxious to find Titus to hear news of Corinth that he left Troas! He left the open door! Paul's anxiety and unrest got the best of him! I was encouraged because sometimes my anxiety and unrest causes me to ignore opportunities that God has placed directly in front of me. My concern is more important. I am more important. Uh oh. Lord, increase my faith. Remind me as Paul brings to remembrance in the next verses that it is not about me...it is my position in Christ that lead me in triumph and enables me to be a light for my Lord. None of us is sufficient for these things.
Here is the beautiful part...here is the application. Paul makes a quick transition here as he looks up beyond the day to day trials and sees the big picture. He reminds himself (us) that we are already in a victory march. He is not sufficient (none of us are) for these things. It is God that leads the march and in Christ we follow God's leading and diffuse his fragrance along the way. To some, sadly, it is the aroma (stink) of death which brings offense, condemnation and eternal death, but to others it is the aroma of life which brings conviction, repentance, eternal life and glory to God. For believers already marching it brings encouragement to endure and a shoring up of faith. To God it brings pleasure seeing His faithful servants being an influence for the gospel.
How does one make such an abrupt transition from unrestful thoughts to praise. It is the daily abiding in Him that will cause us to be able to praise him in the midst of difficulty. Paul is reacting to the trial out of the abundance of what is already filling his heart. He may be anxious but he has been steeping himself in his God and the evidence of his abiding flows from his heart to his pen! Girls, this is important...Charles Stanley would say, now listen...a trial will reveal to you what is already in your heart. Your reaction to whatever you face says much about your the spiritual condition of your heart. If Christ is not revealed then more abiding and sitting at his feet is needed. When Paul sang in prison, he revealed to us that the overflow of his heart was praise Again, in this passage as Paul pens these words, we see that the overflow of Paul's heart is humility, thankfulness and praise!
The last verse says much. Paul obviously spoke the gospel of his God in sincerity of heart. His motive was pure. The 2nd application is simply this...Do not corrupt the outflow of the word of God with your own agenda. God is there...He is among us. He sees. Let the speaking and sharing of the word be an act of worship.
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear pwithout a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: q“How beautiful are the feet of those who 2preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Love
Mom
