Identifying The People

Ok. Who are the people involved in the following passage?

"Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. 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 2:10-16 ESV

Paul is the writer. Then we have the people of Troas and Macedonia. Titus is mentioned. We also have Jesus (spoken of using His title as anointed Messiah) and we also have Satan.

We can visualize the groups and make sketch in our minds then draw arrows linking these people and places. We can visualize Paul (who has been given an open door) in Troas. He is preaching but he is missing Titus. He understands the dynamic of fellowship in ministry. He longs for Spirit filled comradery.

'I wish I had fellowship here.' He says, 'Wouldn't it be great if Titus was here.'

So Paul leaves Troas and goes to Macedonia and the aroma of Christ follows Paul to the next place. Fellowship has this unique smell. The message has a certain sound. Jesus is traveling with Paul. Jesus is also with Titus in a different place at the same time.

People is these place are smelling the procession. It is one smell but some get a whiff and say deep inside themselves, 'Death. That smells like my death.' and others smell life. It is like a song that they remember from long ago awakening memories and feelings that register on a barely conscious level.

Paul knows that Satan has techniques designed to hinder and destroy. Unforgiveness is one. Isolation. Doing for doing's sake is another. He is aware that there is an invisible warfare going on around him and the people he visits.

Now back to us.

Who are the people we will face today? There are ones we know about and ones we hope will show up. Satan has devices and without magnifying them we live in awareness of them.

Jesus Is here. Hallelujah! (Wow. I want to take a moment to savor that reality.)

.. Hallelujah!

... We worship You. Jesus. Our Jesus. King Jesus. The Alpha and Omega. Our Jesus.

He is here as we read. He here here as we get ready. He Is with us all day long and won't leave us. Because of that our life has a unique smell that others will respond to on an unconscious level and we are aware of that also.

Forgiveness is a big part of today's plan. Being lead and taught by God is going to happen.

We can have a prayerful preparation before we go into the day. Then we can roll with the surprises as they come. {smile}

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