As we approach the last Holy Day season for 2022, God’s people need to contemplate what God has given us. Looking forward to the soon-coming Kingdom of God gives us hope. The hope of salvation through Jesus Christ.
We have something that the rest of mankind desperately needs. The question then is, how do we share the message of hope that we have?
Knowledge of the gospel contains the message of hope which lies at the heart of the good news of the Kingdom of God. It is a message for all mankind. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom 1:16).
Sadly, to most people, the gospel is clouded because Satan has blinded the mind of man to God’s plan of salvation. “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded …” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). But we know that God intends the overall gospel message to go out to a general audience. “… I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel … 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 2:12-15).
Which raises the question, what is the fragrance of Christ? “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bond servants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:5-6).
In light of preaching the gospel, this is an interesting concept. Certainly, there is an aspect of preaching – inspired speaking – in terms of the gospel. This also, though, must be backed up by the example of literal people who are living a way of life that exemplifies a change of heart.
The hope that God gives us in His Word is necessary for all of us in our lives today, and it is the hope which will be fulfilled in its entirety in God’s coming Kingdom. As we mingle with people whose minds are veiled, do they see the light shining out of darkness by your demeanor and attitude? Do they see someone buoyed by the hope of salvation in the soon-coming Kingdom of God?
I don’t mean religious talk; I mean godly example. Are you and I the type of people who “… diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge in every place?” – the fragrance of Christlikeness?
Something for us to think about as we look forward to the Fall Holy Day season.
Brian Orchard
