Going into the World Triumphantly 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
Corinth is a Greek town located on a crossroads of land and sea traffic. This led to it being a wealthy city, but it was better known for its immorality, which surpassed even pagan norms of the time.
The Corinthian church was made up mostly of people who had been a part of that culture. Paul wrote an earlier letter to the Corinthians because sadly, some in the church had failed to turn away from their former pagan practices. That earlier letter had the desired effect, because they repented. (2 Corinthians 7)
As we read 2nd Corinthians, we understand that this is a letter to a church which, while it still had some issues, they mostly desired to faithfully serve the Lord and were willing to correct aberrant behaviour. This letter is full of encouraging words and Godly counsel, but Paul also sees a need to defend himself because false teachers had come, attacking him and trying to subvert the church.
Paul had sent a letter with Titus to the Corinthians and it seems that they had arranged to meet again in Troas on Titus’ return.
We don’t know how long Paul stayed in Troas but he was there long enough for his ministry to have some impact, but he was anxious to meet up with Titus and hear news from Corinth.
When Titus failed to appear in Troas, Paul could no longer focus on his ministry there, so he went to Macedonia in hope of finding Titus.
In the next verse (14) Paul completely changes his focus. 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession,
Things weren’t going how Paul thought they should go, but instead of getting depressed, he shifts his attention to God.
The image that Paul is drawing here is of a Roman Triumph; ‘Triumph’ being the name of a Roman celebration. A victorious general would ride into Rome in triumphal procession.
It’s hard to see ourselves as always in triumphal procession, but look at Paul’s life. (2 Corinthians 11)
Many pastors over the years have faced the same dilemma. They’ve spent years caring for the flock; teaching, encouraging, building them up, only to see all of their hard work unravelling.
Such anguish is not only experienced by pastors. All believers have some kind of ministry and we can all suffer setbacks in our spiritual work.
Faced with such opposition and discouragement, many have walked away from ministry or worse still, abandoned their faith.
Instead of focusing on what we perceive as the results of our ministries, we need to maintain our focus on the victory we always have in Christ.
14 …thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession,
Jesus’ crucifixion is a victory. Our sin was nailed with Jesus to the cross; he is victorious over sin. He is victorious over death. He showed his power over death when he rose from death on the third day. We’re not waiting for victory. The victory is already won.
God is in control. What can look like defeat or futility to us is just a part of God’s plan working out. In the end, the results will be exactly what God planned. (Romans 8:28)
I’m not suggesting that we can just sit back and relax thinking that it doesn’t matter what we do. God uses believers for his purposes. If you are a believer, your desire is to love God and obey him. Our lives should be a testament to God’s love for us.
I think that most of us today give the impression that we’re not victorious. We don’t seem very confident. Sometimes we may even seem ashamed of the Gospel.
Don’t we have a message that we can be proud of? The Gospel is infinitely more powerful than any of the ideas of men; in fact, the Gospel is the only solution for people who are caught up in the enticements of this world.
We need to remember to speak this truth in love out of genuine concern for the welfare of the hearer. If we speak God’s word with love, then our speech is in harmony with the Holy Spirit. If we claim to speak for God but speak without love, then we misrepresent Him.
The Gospel is to be preached to everyone. (v15) …
When we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, that’s a pleasing aroma to God.
God has marked some out for salvation. It may be that the next person you share the Gospel with is one of them.
We don’t just preach the good news to those who will gladly accept it; we’re also the aroma of Christ among those who are perishing (vs 15-16).
Not everyone will be convinced of the Gospel. Most people reject Christ. (Matthew 7:13-14) (1 Corinthians 1:23)
(Verse 17) It is an honour and a privilege to be ambassadors for God’s Kingdom. When we don’t see much fruit in our ministry, the temptation is to widen the path just a little bit. The problem with trying to widen the narrow path is that it then becomes the wide path; the path to destruction.
Where are you in the triumphal procession? Are you a faithful soldier following our victorious commander or are you a prisoner marching to your destruction? When things seem like our ministry is making no difference, don’t worry; just keep serving our King. Look to the General; look to Jesus. He has already won. Let’s all follow Him in triumphal procession.