2 Corinthians 2:14 “NOW thanks be unto God, which ALWAYS causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in EVERY PLACE.”
When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He answered in reply: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God'”. (Matthew 4). We understand that the written word, (the Bible), is only a “logos” word until the Holy Spirit quickens it to me as a “rhema” word, (living). However, there are written words that are constantly living words. In the word quoted above, (2 Cor. 2:14), the word NOW is always in the present tense. I cannot move it into the future or back into the past. NOW is NOW and is emphasizing that a thankful heart to God will ALWAYS cause us to triumph in Christ. It does not matter what situation I find myself in, nor what circumstance comes my way, whether a challenge in my physical body, my finances, relationships or any other difficult challenge – NOW is NOW. When I give thanks to God, it ALWAYS causes me to triumph in Christ.
In this one verse there are three constants which, if applied, causes us to triumph in Christ: NOW, ALWAYS and EVERY PLACE. I cannot slip out of this. It is a proceeding word from the mouth of God which cuts like a two edged sword right into the heart of my situation.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks for THIS IS the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks ALWAYS for all things unto God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” A thankful heart is absolutely essential for my walk to triumph in Christ and “will make manifest the savour of His knowledge in EVERY PLACE”. Another constant! There is NOWHERE on this planet that I find myself, whether geographically or spiritually, that a thankful heart with gratitude to God, will not cause me to triumph in Jesus and make manifest the knowledge of His presence in every place.
Let us pray for the reality of this truth to find a constant expression in our lives.
