Branded

Submitted by Lara Cook

From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
Galatians 6:17

Every person bears marks.  We are all branded with many different by different people.  Those who know us well will brand us in terms that they have associated with us such as:

·       Kind

·       Caring

·       Sensitive

·       Angry

·       Helpful

·       Rude

·       A Great Mother/Father/Brother/Sister

·       A Loyal and true friend

·       A Diligent Employee

Still others who don’t know us well brand us too.  As a child of God, you are branded in a different way by your Heavenly Father.  You belong to Him and He belongs to you

In ancient times slaves were "branded" with the "mark" of their master. These "brands" or "marks" made it clear who they belonged to. At the time Paul wrote the scripture above, he was being accused by the Judaizers. of not being a true preacher, not being a God called man, not being an apostle.   They believed he was not worthy of apostleship. They believed if Paul were truly an apostle he would have everybody follow the Jewish laws of circumcision and other rituals. Paul was persecuted over and over by these people. When Paul made his first trip into the Galatian region he was stoned and left for dead in Lystra. He faced many more dangerous situations and suffered greatly.  The verse above is his response to this persecution.

Paul had literal "marks" on his body where he had been wounded, beaten, bruised, broken, and stoned. They could say what they wanted, but he had literal scars to prove he was a follower of Jesus Christ.  Ironically, one of the biggest arguments of the Judaizers was that the “mark” of circumcision proves loyalty to the Messiah.  Paul had marks to show his loyalty to Jesus Christ, and although many of his marks were physical, he was teaching the Galatians that they didn’t need to be physically scarred to show their love for God.  No amount of human effort, or physical marks will produce the boundless grace and love that we are given freely by God. 

Marks of faithfulness are a part of being a Christian.  Sometimes they are not physical, but emotional, such as being treated differently by friends, family, or co-workers because of our beliefs.  Sometimes it is sacrificing something for others.  What are the marks you bear that tell of your faithfulness and belonging to God?

Scripture to Claim:

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4