Led in Triumph with Unveiled Faces
And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
If you are like me, many days do not feel victorious. You fold another load of laundry while carrying silent burdens no one sees. You answer texts with a smile while wrestling anxiety underneath. You show up for work, ministry, motherhood, friendship, or caregiving, feeling painfully aware of your weakness. Many of us live more aware of our inadequacy than God’s triumph. A major theme running throughout 2 Corinthians is the triumph of God’s grace over and through human frailty. Paul highlights this message when he once again erupts into praise: “Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.”
Always.
Paul paints the picture of a victorious Roman general leading captives in a celebratory parade. In this image, we are not portrayed as independent conquerors but as those captured by grace, transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. Once enemies of God, we have now been claimed by Him, redeemed by Him, and led by Him. We are trophies of His grace. God Himself is leading the procession. Victory does not depend on our own strength.
As we are being led in victory, He spreads “the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” Believers carry the aroma of Christ into every room, conversation, and circumstance. We smell like the One we belong to.
Think about how fragrance lingers. A favorite perfume stays on a scarf long after it is worn. Fresh bread fills an entire home with its scent. In the same way, Jesus' presence in us affects those around us. Whether in a boardroom, classroom, kitchen, dorm room, or hospital waiting room, we carry His fragrance.
This aroma is pleasing first to God Himself. Through Christ, our lives become living sacrifices offered to Him, surrendered lives made beautiful by grace. As this fragrance spreads to those around us, it encourages those who are being saved and repulses those who are perishing. This truth steadies our hearts when we experience rejection or misunderstanding because of our faith. The varied responses of people should not surprise us. Our calling is not to control how others respond but to faithfully follow the One who leads us.
In 2 Corinthians 2:16, Paul asks a piercing question: “Who is sufficient for these things?” The answer is clearly stated in 2 Corinthians 3:5. We are not “sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us” and “our sufficiency comes from God.”
This answer is really quite liberating. The world constantly tells women to become more self-sufficient, more capable, more accomplished. But the gospel invites us to stop pretending we are enough on our own. God never asks us to live in our own strength. He asks us to depend on His strength. Our weakness is often the place where God shines most brightly.
Paul goes on to describe the breathtaking reality of the new covenant. Unlike Moses, whose face reflected a fading glory after meeting with God, believers now live continually in His presence through the Spirit. The glory is not fading. With unveiled faces, we behold the Lord and are being transformed into His image “from one degree of glory to another.” We don’t just smell like Him; we begin to look like Him. As you behold Jesus, He changes you. Slowly. Steadily. Permanently.
Take a deep breath. You do not have to strive to manufacture transformation. The reminder is that God uses, most powerfully, women who stay near His presence. Women who open their Bibles even when life feels busy. Women who pray honestly. Women who keep turning their eyes toward Jesus. Women who know their sufficiency comes from Him alone.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
If you feel weak today, remember a victorious Savior is leading you. You are carrying the fragrance of Christ into the world around you. You are being transformed in His presence with a glory that will never fade. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. He is leading you in triumph.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that You always lead me in triumph through Christ. Forgive me for relying on my own strength and forgetting that my sufficiency comes from You alone. Help me carry the fragrance of Jesus wherever I go. Teach me to live boldly and continually in Your presence with an unveiled face, being transformed into Your likeness day by day. Amen.
2 Corinthians: Confident and Compelled - A Study on 2 Corinthians - No Empty Word Series by Paula Miles
Paula Miles is wife to Kevin, a ruling elder at Clemson Presbyterian, and mother of Wimberly Johnson (married to Charlie), Janie Gotfredson (married to Duncan), Clary (married to Elli), and Judy Livingston (married to Evan). She is also a grandmother to six precious little ones. Paula grew up in Anderson, SC, and graduated from Clemson University. She has experienced the joy of being a full-time homemaker and public school teacher. Studying and teaching God’s Word is her passion, along with encouraging and equipping women as they walk with Jesus. Since 2014, Paula has served on staff at Clemson Presbyterian as Women’s Ministry Director. She is a conference and retreat speaker, an author of the No Empty Word Bible studies, and serves on the PCA's Discipleship Ministries (CDM) National Women’s Ministry Team as a trainer. She enjoys regular exercise, a good cup of coffee, watching sporting events, and investing in the lives of her family and friends.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
