Diffusing the Truth

One quiet night, just before sleep, I felt a deep conviction to open the Word of God and listen to His voice. As I turned the pages of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, I began to imagine his message to the early church—and wondered, does it still speak to us today?

Without question, the Word of God remains alive and active. We cannot escape its truth. Could it be that God is still intentional with His church? Maybe you’ve asked yourself why, after accepting Christ, God has kept you here instead of taking you home. The answer is profound: the message you received wasn’t just for you—it’s for the whole world. If God had taken you the moment you confessed Christ, who would carry the message to others?

Let’s explore this scripture together. Listen closely. Write down the convictions God places on your heart—and act on them.

Scripture Foundation

II Corinthians 2:14–16 (NKJV) [14] 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. [15] For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. [16] To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

The Science of Diffusion and the Spread of the Gospel

Science defines diffusion as the movement of particles from a region of high concentration to one of low concentration until equilibrium is reached. Paul’s metaphor is striking: “…through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” This is not poetic imagery—it’s spiritual reality. But it raises a question: when will equilibrium be reached? And who are the particles responsible for this movement?

Let’s explore four key factors that affect diffusion and how they mirror the dynamics of gospel spread:

1. Temperature: Persecution as Spiritual Heat
   In science, higher temperatures accelerate diffusion. In Acts, after Stephen’s martyrdom, persecution intensified—and so did the spread of the gospel. Were it not for that, there’s a possibility that the gospel would have taken much longer to reach us even. There’s a high possibility for God being the one behind that wind of persecution. He possibly did that to teach the early church certain lessons. They were to step out and defend the gospel. Consider this scripture;

Acts 8:4–5 (NKJV) [4] Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. [5] Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.

For 13 years, the gospel remained largely within Judea. But God’s plan was broader: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. He had said clearly that we shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon us and we shall be witnesses of the gospel from both Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Every place was to be captured at a go. However,this wasn’t the case. God had to allow something to happen. And that was persecution. Persecution became the heat that stirred the church into motion. Today, persecution still exists. Hostile communities resist the gospel—but they need it just as we once did. Yet many of us remain comfortable within our church walls while nations wait. What is God saying to you about this?

2. Concentration Gradient: Reaching the Unreached
   Diffusion occurs when particles move from areas of high concentration to low. Spiritually, this means the growing church should be drawn toward places with little or no gospel presence. But the question remains, where is our main focus? Are there places where Christ is not yet mentioned? Yes, there are even in our country (Kenya) among many other countries. How are we involved in seeing everywhere covered?

Romans 15:20–21 (NKJV) [20] And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, [21] but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”

Even here in Kenya, 31 people groups still await the gospel. Globally, over 7,000 people groups remain unreached. However, we find ourselves always rotating around the same place. Surprisingly, there are places where no one is there to preach. They have never seen a church nor a Christian. Other places with little efforts to reach them, one person or two in a whole community of thousands even millions. Some of these communities don’t even have a Bible in their language. Our resources are needed for the Bible to be translated to their language; both human and financial resources. If you’re truly born again, this should stir your heart. Write down what God is placing in you—and act.

3. Molecular Size: The Power of Small Communities
   Smaller molecules diffuse faster. Likewise, the early church thrived in intimate, house-based fellowships where everyone was known and cared for. What transpired from these communities was a blow. Every member was concerned about the other, even to those who were out peddling the gospel. They all received comfort, significance and security in their presence or absence. It didn’t matter the location or denomination. What mattered was the gospel. Love was the unifying factor among them. The purpose was clear to all. Their pursuit was one; to know God and make Him known. They did this with their substances following after words. They acted out in prompt obedience.

Colossians 4:15 (NKJV) Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
I Corinthians 16:19 (NKJV) The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

These verses tell us how close-knit church fellowships made such a great impact in the Kingdom of God. They were all determined to take part in the spreading of the gospel even if they weren’t present in the areas of great need. They were all concerned about what the apostles were doing among those communities they were preaching to. We should as well be concerned about those who have risked going among different communities crossing cultures of which some are quite hostile. It should be part of our primary concern. We have no place to neglect this.

Today, mega churches offer many blessings, but they can also breed anonymity and comfort. The burden for the lost has been delegated to committees, rather than embraced by every believer. The need for everyone getting involved in the spreading of the gospel has escaped our hearts. The message of the Kingdom is missing in our
lips. Words of comfort and assurance have covered our ears. It is true God desires to bless us, but He has also called us to suffer for the gospel’s sake. Pursuing peace with everyone is not an excuse for not preaching the gospel. Everyone MUST hear it. What is God convicting you to do?

4. Diffusion Distance: Reaching Those Nearby
   Diffusion is faster over short distances. Early missionaries crossed oceans, endured illness, and faced cultural barriers to bring the gospel to us. Others even died along the way, others suffered chronic illnesses that were not present in their countries while others survived on a thin line. They even didn’t know our languages, were not familiar with our food, and took a long time to integrate with our culture. This is how
   hard it was for them to bring the gospel to us. Today, many unreached people are right next door—Muslims, Hindus, atheists, traditionalists. They eat our food, speak our language, and share our culture. The harvest is near. They all need to hear the gospel. Are we willing to reach across the fence? This verse gives us a slight perspective of the deficiency of the gospel in the 1st Century. Paul had to become everything to all men. Today, the people we’re to meet are just near us. There is no problem with food, we eat the same food. No problem with language, we all have a common language. They have already become like one of us and the barrier is highly reduced. It’s upon us to initiate conversations and walk a journey with them. Should this matter to us? Does it matter to you? Put down your convictions and take actions on them.

I Corinthians 9:19-23 (NKJV) [19] For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; [20] and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; [21] to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; [22] to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. [23] Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Final Conviction
Science teaches us principles that mirror spiritual truths. If the church truly understood that we are the fragrance of Christ—both to those being saved and those perishing—we would live with greater intentionality. We would look beyond ourselves and see the lost. This matters to you. It matters to me. Most of all, it matters to God.

The world is waiting.