Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Proclamation of the Good News
Dr. Anila Thomas
Epiphany MTC,
NY
14 But thanks be to God,
who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads
in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him.
What images come to one’s mind when given the task of proclaiming the Good News of the gospel? As a child, I would think of Billy Graham and the crowds of people at his feet savoring each morsel of truth and hope that he revealed through God’s promises in His Word. As I got older, that image changed. I began to experience that same proclamation in day to day encounters with my parents, family and spiritual mentors. In these encounters, there were no large crowds. God revealed the “aroma of the knowledge of Him[self]” over dinnertime and family prayer, through my Sunday school teachers, and over cups of coffee with friends sharing their testimonies of God’s faithfulness.
The size of your encounter with the Good News of the gospel does not matter. As we see in this passage, Paul emphasizes that we represent Christ and the gospel through the sincerity of our proclamations. Sharing our testimonies of God’s work in our lives, regardless of how small we think they may be, can make huge impacts in the lives of those who have yet to experience the “aroma that brings life”.
Paul also points out that the responsibility of spreading the Good News is not a simple endeavor; he questions ”and who is equal to such a task?”. Many times throughout the New Testament, Paul recognizes his ineptness and unworthiness to proclaim the Good News. However, Paul also always reminds his readers that our triumphs are in Christ; for Christ’s “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9) To proclaim the Good News with sincerity, we must sincerely open our hearts to allow God to work in and through us trusting that our weaknesses have a purpose and can be transformed by His strength.
The sense of smell is one of the strongest triggers of memories; good and bad. Paul challenges us to become the “pleasing aroma of Christ” which will remind those around us of the salvation offered through Him – this is proclamation of the Good News.
What images come to one’s mind when given the task of proclaiming the Good News of the gospel? As a child, I would think of Billy Graham and the crowds of people at his feet savoring each morsel of truth and hope that he revealed through God’s promises in His Word. As I got older, that image changed. I began to experience that same proclamation in day to day encounters with my parents, family and spiritual mentors. In these encounters, there were no large crowds. God revealed the “aroma of the knowledge of Him[self]” over dinnertime and family prayer, through my Sunday school teachers, and over cups of coffee with friends sharing their testimonies of God’s faithfulness.
The size of your encounter with the Good News of the gospel does not matter. As we see in this passage, Paul emphasizes that we represent Christ and the gospel through the sincerity of our proclamations. Sharing our testimonies of God’s work in our lives, regardless of how small we think they may be, can make huge impacts in the lives of those who have yet to experience the “aroma that brings life”.
Paul also points out that the responsibility of spreading the Good News is not a simple endeavor; he questions ”and who is equal to such a task?”. Many times throughout the New Testament, Paul recognizes his ineptness and unworthiness to proclaim the Good News. However, Paul also always reminds his readers that our triumphs are in Christ; for Christ’s “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9) To proclaim the Good News with sincerity, we must sincerely open our hearts to allow God to work in and through us trusting that our weaknesses have a purpose and can be transformed by His strength.
The sense of smell is one of the strongest triggers of memories; good and bad. Paul challenges us to become the “pleasing aroma of Christ” which will remind those around us of the salvation offered through Him – this is proclamation of the Good News.
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