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Day 2 2 Corinthians 2 2 Corinthians 2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that makes me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. 6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. 10 To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor 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. Do you give good news when you send messages to friends or talk to them in person? Or do you give them a list of your woes causing them to grieve for your circumstances? Paul told the church at Corinth his purpose in telling them his troubles was not so they would grieve for him, but that they would know how much he loved them to let them know his situation. As Christians, when you know the situations facing those you love, you know how to better pray for them. It is not a time of woe, but a time when your care for your friends and relatives brings you to your knees before God. Paul also told the church at Corinth how their lifestyle affected those around them. To those who knew Christ, they were a pleasing aroma, bringing joy to everyone they encountered. However, to those who didn’t know Christ, they were the sour aroma of death because their hearts convicted them. Your Christian life is a conviction to everyone you encounter. People will either want to know what makes you different and embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord, or they will shun you and justify their disbelief in Jesus Christ. Let your love of Jesus bring a pleasant aroma to all those around you and convict to salvation those God brings to your attention. Let’s pray: Father, let Your love rest on me. Show me Your favor and let me be a pleasing aroma for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 1 April 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay