I am sure during your lifetime, dear readers, you have heard someone use at least one of the following idioms referencing the nose:

• Cut Off Your Nose to Spite Your Face
• Have Your Nose in the Air
• It’s No Skin Off My (Your) Nose (Back)
• Keep Your Nose Clean
• On the Nose
• Powder One’s Nose
• Right Under (One’s) Nose
• Rub Someone’s Nose in (Something)
• Stick Your Nose into Something
• Have a Nose for (Something)

Well, while reading and meditating over 2 Corinthians 2:1-17, the Holy Spirit allowed me to obtain a more profitable understanding of God’s holy Word as recorded by the Apostle Paul. The entire chapter demonstrates that Paul is a peace maker extraordinaire.

To briefly summaries Chapter 2…

The Apostle Paul has written a letter to the Church at Corinth, rather than making a second personal visit, suggesting (no imploring) that they consider forgiving a church member who had been spreading lies about him and the way he demonstrates his faith in Jesus Christ. The troublemaker was saying that Paul preaches out of both sides of his mouth and seemingly, the members of the Church at Corinth believed those lies and were forming negative opinions about the character of Paul.

In the letter, Paul is explaining why he has chosen not to make a second visit in person as promised, because he is still feeling some pain about how members of the Church of Corinth so readily embraced the untruths of the troublemaker. Paul also feels that perhaps the Church members may also need some space. So, Paul is explaining in his letter that he does not desire that the perpetrator be punished for his actions, and if the Church forgives the man, then Paul will also forgive him because that is exactly what Christ would do. Paul reminds the congregation that nobody wants to give Satan another opportunity to wreck havoc in the family of God.

The nose, nose…

Now this is the beautiful part of Paul’s letter. Paul explains to the Corinth Church that as we grow in grace in Jesus Christ, He matures us and gives us victory in our endeavors (battles) on His behalf. The Holy Spirit also gives us inexplicable knowledge of Himself and breathes within us an exquisite aroma that only His true followers can spread abroad. This sweet scent ascends all the way up to Glory which God recognizes and rewards with dispensing eternal life. Other brothers and sisters who are walking in the light recognize the scent, too, and rejoice. But those on the road to destruction smell the stench of a dead man walking.

What aroma is in your nostrils?…

I don’t know about you, but when I was a child, my nickname was ‘Cry Baby’, because somebody was always hurting my feelings. And I was also the last one picked on anybody’s team when my siblings and friends played games. I wanted everybody to like me, and when they didn’t, I pouted. I was also very gullible as a child and believed people when I should have been more discerning. But thanks be to God and my Sunday School teacher. They both taught me how to pray. Little by little, I learned to depend on the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit did the rest. During middle school and high school I met new friends and because of my good grades, art talents and I also want to add my ‘giving’ spirit, I was well on my way to trusting and serving the Lord. I guess I just “smelled” good.

My prayer for you…

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your sweet presence in my life when I was lost, self-centered, and without hope. Please forgive me for my inherent ignorance of the gospel of Jesus Christ which you have written on the tablets of all of our hearts. I praise you, Holy Father, for coming into my life and opening doors that nobody can shut and for lifting me above the enemies of this world. Help me, Lord Jesus, to remember to thank you for every blessing You so willing bestow upon me and everyone who can relate to this blog revelation. For we are all so undeserving of the ultimate sacrifice you made on our behalf. We ask all of these blessings in the precious Name of Jesus. Amen and Amen.

Scripture Lesson: “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

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