8月12日

標 題：那因認識基督而有的香氣

經 節：感謝神！常率領我們在基督裡誇勝，並藉著我們在各處顯揚那因認識基督而有的香氣。因為我們在神面前，無論在得救的人身上或滅亡的人身上，都有基督馨香之氣。（哥林多後書二章14∼15節）

羅馬人每次在軍事上得到大勝利，就會舉行盛大的遊行來慶祝。指揮的將領會站在一輛豪華雙輪戰車上，在整個遊行隊伍的最前方引導。他的後面則跟著士兵、樂師和其他軍官。然後，士兵會領著被俘戰敗的敵人穿過城市大街。除此之外，羅馬人在祭壇上燒香，也是慶典的一部分，整個城市會充滿令人愉悅的香氣。即使那些不能親眼看見勝利行伍的人，也能聽到勝利凱旋的音樂，聞到令人愉悅的氣息。每個人都會知道，自己的軍隊已經得勝，凱旋歸來。這個特別的香氣，對每個聞到的人象徵著勝利。

保羅用這個生動的比喻，來說明基督徒對世界的影響。根據保羅所說，神要在我們身上充滿那因認識基督而有的香氣。無論去那裡，我們的生命應該向人展示出耶穌是得勝者。當未信者看見我們的生命，他們會知道基督得勝的大能。當其他的基督徒親眼看基督的大能，使我們戰勝自己的罪，他們也能慶祝歡喜主的勝利，並且確信基督同樣也可以使他們擁有得勝的生命。

最令人信服的證據是基督活著，並且祂在祂的百姓身上彰顯自己得勝的作為。有基督的馨香之氣，是何等地榮幸！藉著擁有基督的馨香之氣，他人可以知道基督擁有戰勝罪惡、改變人生命的大能。你的生命應該是使人信服的確據，使人看到神今日仍在祂百姓身上行大能的作為。

The Fragrance of His Knowledge

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)

Whenever the Romans won a major military victory they would celebrate with a spectacular parade. The commanding general would lead the procession in a magnificent chariot, followed by his soldiers, musicians, and other officials. Then, soldiers would lead the defeated enemies through the city in . As a part of the celebration, the Romans would burn fragrances on altars, filling the entire city with a pleasant aroma. Even those who could not witness the triumphal procession could hear the victory music and smell the pleasing incense. Everyone would know that their army had been victorious. The special fragrance came to symbolize victory to anyone who smelled it.

Paul used this vivid imagery to describe the effect that Christians should have in the world. According to Paul, God permeates our lives with the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, our lives should demonstrate to others that Christ is victorious. As unbelievers observe our lives, they should become aware of the victorious power of Christ. As other Christians witness the victory Christ gives us over our sin, they can rejoice in the triumph of their Lord and gain confidence that Christ will bring victory in their lives as well.

The most compelling evidence that Christ is alive and triumphant is His activity in the lives of His people. It is a privilege to be the fragrance of Christ by which others learn of God’s life-changing power over sin. Your life ought to be convincing proof that God continues to work powerfully in the lives of His people.