The flower is the flower . . . the gospel, the gospel

¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

¹⁵ For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. . .

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Oftentimes I get disturbed at the response to the God’s word and His son’s sacrifice.  I feel like if everyone heard and understood, truly understood the love that the Father showed to us through Christ, and how believing in Him what an abundant life we would have, well. . . they would be so happy and embrace Him with all their heart, soul and might.  But that is not the response I sometimes get.  But I should not be surprised.  Why? Because God forewarns us through Paul’s writing to the Corinthian church.

The persons reading this letter of Paul understood what was being said.  For me, it took a little more digging. See Paul was painting a picture of the return of the Roman army from a victorious battle.  Something they all had seen, with some having actually been standing there in the number he spoke of . . . the ones chosen to live.

When the Romans returned from conquering a land they would have two groups of slaves walking  in the parade back into Rome.  The first group carried flowers, and all manner of sweet smelling petals and blossoms.  Behind them came a second group bearing nothing.  The first group were the prisoners who the Romans had decided would live and be sold into slavery to masters that very day.  The second group were those prisoners who would be executed that very day.  They had been chosen to die.  The smell of the flowers meant life to the first group of slaves.  The same smell of the flowers meant death for the second group of slaves. The same smell, but different meanings.

Look back at the passage now with this understanding:

¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

¹⁵ For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. . . Do you get it.  Well, just to make sure:

"us as captives"  --- the first group of slaves

"and uses us to spread the aroma of knowledge of him everywhere" --- the flowers and blossoms

"the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" -- the message of Christ is the same for both groups.  It's character is pleasing.  A flower, is a flower, is a flower.  It matters not if we veiw attach a meaning to it.  The attached meaning does not change its character.  It is still a flower.  So it is with the Gospel of Christ, it is still a pleasing aroma.

"To the one we are an aroma that brings death. . . " --- those persons who by their choice decide to reject the gospel and die.

"to the other, an aroma that brings life. . . "  --- those persons who accept the gospel and its life giving force.

Hope it makes a little more sense now.  And now my question is answered.  See the gospel calls force a response.  To know that Christ, the son of God, was borne of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified for my sins, died and rose again that I too might have life by accepting His sacrifice and believing in Him; that I might be reunited with God as my father . . . well . . . such knowledge requires a decision.  People don't like having to make decisions, especially if you know the consequences of your decision and you decide to reject His love.  No surprise as to the response.

The flower is the flower.  The choice is ours. . . the consequence is pre-determined by our choice.

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Love yah,