Bearing The Marks!

Things happen in life that mark people in different ways: emotionally, physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually, etc. Some of these marks are more deeply impacting than others with some serving as a reminder to the bearer or becoming an indicator to others of a particular life experience. It has been told that when the knights of King Arthur’s court returned from the battlefield, if they did not bear on their body some scar from the battle, they were driven back out by the king with the command, “Go, get your scar!”

In Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia, because of false teachers who were trying to bind Jewish circumcision on Christians, Paul attempted to redirect the focus toward Christ. Neither being circumcised nor uncircumcised meant anything since the focus was to be on being a “new creation” in Christ. ( Galatians 6:15) In an attempt to keep from being “persecuted for the cross of Christ”, these false teachers were trying to make a good showing in the flesh. ( Galatians 6:12) However, that particular mark of the flesh had nothing to do with being a Christian regardless of what one’s background might have been.

Referring to himself, Paul stated. . .
“From now on let no one cause me trouble, FOR I BEAR ON MY BODY THE MARKS OF JESUS.” ( Galatians 6:17 ESV)

Though Paul would have been circumcised as a Jew, his focus was no longer on that mark of the flesh. Instead, Paul’s focus remained on Christ and the power of the cross to redeem him. However, because of his relationship to Christ, his body had indeed become marked! It may have been the marks of having received the forty lashes minus one on five occasions ( 2 Corinthians 11:24) to which Paul referred. Or perhaps it was the marks from having been beaten three times with rods. ( 2 Corinthians 11:25) Or maybe the wounds received from having been stoned. ( 2 Corinthians 11:25) Or possibly the physical signs of having weathered the elements on a number of occasions in his travels. ( 2 Corinthians 11:25-27) It may have been something else. Each of these I have suggested were in some way associated with Paul’s steadfast relationship to Christ. They did not happen while he persecuted the church when he was known as Saul, but were his experiences after Jesus became his Lord. To look at the life of Paul left no question as to the genuineness of that relationship!

How about us? Though we may never experience some of the mistreatment Paul endured for Christ -- at least not to the degree he did, though it could happen -- is there something relating to our life that reveals we are marked for Jesus? Are we different enough from the world that our being a “new creation” in Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:17) is clearly evident? May our life be so intertwined with the life of Jesus our Lord that HIS IMPRINT will be seen as we go about our daily activities. Any mark borne for the sake of Jesus should be viewed as a BADGE OF HONOR under his glorious Lordship!

Have a great day CLEARLY IDENTIFIED WITH CHRIST!
Carl

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