"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. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life." 2 Cor 2: 14-16

Our text starts with "thanks be to God". Why should He be thanked? For He always leads us in the "triumphal procession". This means that victory is continual.

A student of the Bible will be reminded of Paul's words in Romans 7 where he speaks about the "miserable creature" who needs to be released from the "body of death". He then launches into the "thanks be to God for Jesus Christ." This chapter is about the one who wishes to do good but cannot. What was this body of death? In the old Roman days the murderer would be bound to the corpse of his victim - face to face, hand to hand etc. He would have to drag this "body of death" around and he would literally be killed by the consequence of his own sin. The stench of death sticks to the person who is the miserable condition of being bound to his sin. But "thanks be to God" for Jesus Christ for he who has met with Him has been released from his body of death.

Through Christ we receive the victory and the smell of the grave is dealt with. This is not through our self-efforts but only through Him.

Then, we not only spread the fragrance of Christ but we ourselves are that fragrance.

In Col 2:15 it speaks about Christ having made a "public spectacle" of the devil and his forces. In the days of the Roman empire there were rebellions. A general would be sent with his army to put down the rebellion and capture the leader. The conquered foes were then led in triumph back to the capital. The leader would be stripped naked and tied behind the general's chariot. Soldiers would run up in front with incense and the smell of victory was make known. The defeated rebel leader was no longer feared and would be led to the market square where he would be tied to a pillar. He was mocked and even small children would throw stones at him. Thus, Christ achieved this victory over satan through the Cross and His resurrection. Satan has been stripped of his weapons and is exposed to open shame.

Now you are the bearer of the incense of victory, the fragrance of Christ. The same fragrance is life to some and death to others.

You won't know your own smell, so why not ask those who are close to you. I sometimes eat garlic and only those around me tell me that it smells.

Through Christ you can always be led in the procession of victory, no matter what temptation comes your way. He makes you a sweet fragrance to God and those who are being saved and you will spread His knowledge everywhere.