But thanks be to God, who continually leads us about, captives in Christ's triumphal procession, and everywhere uses us to reveal and spread abroad the fragrance of the knowledge of himself! We are indeed the incense offered by Christ to God, both for those who are on the way to salvation, and for those who are on the way to perdition. 2 Cor. 2:14, 15, N.E.B.

In this scripture, Paul regards his conversion and complete surrender gained over him by our Lord, and his subsequent life, as celebrating the Lord's triumph in his life. Christ is the Conqueror. We are the conquered. Paul likens our status as trophies of Christ's victory, to the processions in which those who had been conquered by the Romans were led in triumph down the broad avenues of the imperial city of Rome.

The fact of our being led in triumph as trophies of the grace of God is a truth of exceptional moment for all of us. It involves the complete surrender of ourselves to Christ, our Lord and King. No one but Christ has the right to lead us in triumph. The basic issue is the type of commitment that brings this about. All too often we are subject to the rule of self and pride. But we are summoned to renounce all other lords and masters for the rule of the Lord Jesus. We do not truly live the Christian life save as we are led in triumph by Jesus Christ. There can be no place for any other master.

We must give up all desire to have other powers capture and lead us. We must be ardent in our desire to be led in triumph by Christ. We are defeated if we live for ourselves. We are victorious when we have surrendered ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit. Self-will is so hard to surrender to another master. We are reluctant to be brought into subjection to Christ. How hard it is to forfeit the rule of self and pride. Let us seek now to accept and cherish the triumph of Christ in our lives, to become His captives. Let our burning desire be to have Him as Conqueror. Christ came into our midst and defeated Satan to whom we were in bondage. He has delivered the captives out of Satan's power and seeks to lead them in triumph under His sovereign rule. Christ Himself has done it that He might lead us in triumph through the streets of the New Jerusalem. This is to be the witness of the remnant church, a spiritual body led in triumph by Christ.