THE MARKS OF THE LORD JESUS
Memorise: From henceforth let no man
trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Galatians 6:17
Read: 1st Timothy 6:11-14,
Bible in one year: Amos 7:9; Matthew 9:27-10:15
A mark can be described as an impression,
a distinguishing trait or quality. Marks indicate characteristics or symbols
used for identification or indication of ownership. All heaven-bound Christians
are children of God and by implication, belong to Christ (Mark 9:41, Romans
8:16). What are the marks of the Lord Jesus?
One distinguishing trait or quality that
indicates one’s ownership by the Lord Jesus is faithfulness. Everyone belonging
to Christ is expected to be faithful in prayer, in tithes and offerings, in
studying the word of God, in their marital relationship, general human
relations and in service to God. Are you a child of God? Be faithful to God,
yourself and others. Your faithfulness allows God to reveals greater insights
to you. Faithfulness beings opportunities to you that are not given to the
unfaithful. God takes pleasure in answering prayers that come from a faithful
heart. Another mark of the Lord Jesus is obedience to the will of God. Christ
came to fulfil God’s perfect will for His life. Hebrews 10:7 says,
“Then
said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy
will, O God.”
Are you living according to God’s
perfect will for your life? Anything that brings shame or reproach to the Name
of God is not God’s will for you. Are you involved in a business deal where it
is required that you tell lies, engage in immorality and cut corners? That
business venture should be reviewed. It
is probably not God’s perfect will for your life. As a spouse, are you obedient
to the will of God in your marriage through fidelity, submission and love?
Affiliated to obedience is love. Love is
another mark of the Lord Jesus. John 13:1 says,
“Now
before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that
he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which
were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”
God is love. The love of God is what
indicates that you belong to Christ. You should be able to demonstrate true
love of God and man. Love is a benevolent disposition of the mind towards
fellow-Christians, growing out of sincere and fervent devotion to God.
Indicators of love include kindness, selflessness, humility, self-discipline
and purity. Love can endure evil, injury and provocation without being filled
with resentment, indignation or revenge. Love is benevolent, bountiful,
courteous, and obliging. Love suppresses envy: it is not grieved by the good of
others. Finally, love controls and restrains passions. Do you bear in you the
marks of the Lord Jesus?
Prayer point
Father, I submit myself to the Lordship
of Jesus Christ; let His marks be seen in my life.
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