But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV

There was a time when my understanding of fellowship and intimacy with Christ was based on hearing and conveying in writing what I thought God was saying to me. In fact, it was not uncommon to ascribe a specific verse of Scripture to some pseudo profound revelation I was claiming to hear internally. The pages of journals were filled with mystical insight I had feverishly written, mainly about what God said about me and how special I was. I spoke about the secret place quite a bit and how we needed to go there to meet with God in our private time to gain greater revelation and understanding. How tempting and easy it is to lose sight of Christ when we believe drawing close to the Lord has more to do with us than Him.

Several years ago, I wrote about being the garden of God and how we were to carry His fragrance wherever we went, referencing 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 and telling others how people who carry His fragrance will change those who come in contact with them by their mere presence. In one blog post I wrote,

You are a garden within a temple. Jesus wants to release His fragrance from your life so that others may know Him and catch the scent even over their walls of bondage and captivity. Refuse to allow serpents and foxes into His garden. Let those around you see what a real temple of the Holy Spirit looks like and sounds like and let them know that they are standing on the edge of His garden.

The Garden Within the Temple

At the time, I thought God had given me this great revelation in the Hebrew words as I weaved together what I perceived as hidden revelation in the Word, such as us always having rivers of living water from the beginning because of the mist in the garden and breathing the name of God (YHWH) with every inhale and exhale. I spoke of Adam having the first face-to-face encounter with God and how we were to do the same. I told people to stop focusing on the serpent and the fall so much and to remember what God intended from the beginning. The gospel was a footnote. The plan of redemption before the foundations of the earth through Jesus Christ was not even acknowledged.

It was awful, a garden of weeds and error, and it is embarrassing and troubling to admit such egotistical sin against a holy God. Looking back on these things brings mixed feelings; there is sorrow in such error perpetuated while elevating self, and there is gratitude and thanksgiving to God for His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and long suffering in my sinful ways and deep deception. Thank God for the gospel and the gift of salvation leading to eternal life. A sister in Christ said in conversation recently, “We never get over the gospel.” As we continue to grow in spiritual maturity by the leading of the Holy Spirit, we continue to remember daily our utter need for Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. The mystical fancies I had pale in comparison to the revelation of His Word containing this precious good news.

The Real Victor Leading the Procession

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 is a beautiful passage for us to understand as believers in Christ, and it helps us to see who the subject is in Paul’s writing to believers in Corinth. I had inserted this verse within my past writing when talking about the garden within. It is painfully obvious now in my writing, myself and those reading were the subject and the focus. God was in the background. But that is not the truth when reading the Bible, and the aroma of Christ evident in the life of a believer is for His glory.

In this passage, many scholars believe Paul was using the Romans Triumph as a metaphor in Christ’s triumphant procession as victor. In Paul’s time, when the Roman army defeated their foes, they would have a grand procession through the streets of Rome. As part of this great parade of triumph, the general would adorn himself, leading the captives or prisoners defeated in war down the street, and in this act, the Roman general was glorified. Incense was burned in the streets, providing another layer to the experience for those witnessing the procession of the aroma of victory.

What was Paul saying? Paul viewed himself as a slave to Christ. He was a prisoner for the glory of God. He described in his letter to the church of Corinth how Christ was leading Him in a triumphant procession, and the aroma of Christ was going forth. The truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a sweet fragrance metaphorically speaking. Depending on who hears the gospel determines the fragrance as those who are perishing and reject Christ smell the stench of death. Those who answer His call of the gospel recognize a sweet fragrance leading to eternal life. It is a beautiful and glorious metaphor as Jesus Christ is glorified as the Victor and those who belong to Him are led by Him while carrying “the aroma of Christ”, testifying of Him.

To some, it may not seem like a big deal to make this distinction. But as someone who recognizes the error committed in conveying other meanings not found in Scripture, I would much rather hear the latter understanding than the former misunderstanding. Jesus Christ is to be at the forefront. His gospel is front and center. We live for Him. I would rather be the prisoner led in procession by the LORD than trying to lead the procession and making myself the subject of interest. Of the hundreds of processions noted in ancient literature, the one referenced in 2 Corinthians 2 surpasses them all.

We do not need any mystical or hidden understanding in order to draw closer to God. The revelation of His Word has already been provided to us, and it is enough. We grow in fellowship and intimacy with Christ by abiding in His Word and understanding His ways. In good times and in difficult times, we draw closer to God. Because of Jesus, we can now go before the Father in prayer. There is no separation for those who are in Christ, and we glorify the LORD by proclaiming the truth of His Word and His gospel. It is in this the aroma of Christ goes forth.

Listen to this episode of The Lovesick Scribe podcast as we take a closer look at a teaching, I did with audio clips dealing with The Garden Within: The Garden Within Was Full of Weeds and Error – The Lovesick Scribe Podcast | Podcast on Spotify