... except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Saul of Tarsus, later to become Paul, was a marked or branded man. As we look into his life and see the total transformation, we can learn much from his words…I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Whatever you think Paul meant by these words, one thing is very clear, he was acknowledging that Christ had ownership of him—body, soul, and spirit. He was branded for Christ from this day forward. Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
1. Branded for Christ – I have been crucified with Christ. Other than Jesus, has there ever been a man more branded to a task than the Apostle Paul. Jesus came with singleness of mind to fulfill God’s plan for His life, so did Paul after his conversion. Paul never claimed that what he was preaching was easy but he did declare his love for Christ was a process. Paul said…I die daily. I die to myself every day.
2. Belonging to Christ – Look at my scars (marks). Notice the word marks in our text. Paul is saying, "I bear in my body the 'marks'" -- the Greek word is stigmata -- meaning 'scar marks.' If you want to see the handwriting of Jesus, look upon Paul's body. 2 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NKJV) “Are they ministers of Christ?--I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep.” A marked man!
3. Burning for Christ – Nothing could put out passion’s flame. Think about how easily people walk away from Christ today but not so with Paul. Oh, that the wondrous flame Paul had might burn within us. Let’s look at this marked little body of Paul and ask what could put out the flame of Holy Spirit? Nothing could! Romans 8:18 (KJV) “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Paul was looking forward to eternity. God, help us!
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