Attitude and Triumph

As we celebrate the many wonderful stories of Olympic triumphand victory,* I am reminded of God’s teaching about attitude and triumph.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphalprocession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of theknowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who arebeing saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death;to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike somany, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christwe speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God” (2 Cor. 2:14-17).

Paul teaches an amazing truth! He says that God always(not sometimes or even most of the time) leads us in victory. This is what ourattitude should be. This is how we can “give thanks in all circumstances” (1Thes 5:17). Just as the Olympic athletes overcome adversity to compete andtriumph, God does not want our circumstances to render us unproductive andwithout hope.

The fruit is that we will possess a fragrance that will attractthose interested in truth. That fragrance will also repel those uninterested inthe truth. Are you struggling in the midst of uncomfortable and unwantedcircumstances? Seek God’s truth and ask Him to give you a victorious attitudethat is a blessing to those around you.

*Written August 1996.

This post coordinates with tomorrow's reading in the Tothe Word! Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading plan,please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love to have you reading with us.

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