What marks will you have as a Christian?
The Apostle Paul said, “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). Bodily marks serve as identity, badge, or an indicator that distinguishes something or somebody from others.
In Nigeria, tribal marks are cultural markings, often cuts or burns, used to denote a person's tribe, family, or status. Oftentimes you don’t even need to ask questions about the origin of certain people in Nigeria because the marks on their faces serve as their identities.
Paul also believes we should bear markings but of a different nature. These marks serve as evidence that an individual has Christ in him/her. In Galatians 6:17, Paul was not referring to physical marks but the scars from the persecutions he endured for his faith — a symbol of his commitment to Christ. These marks are not about blessings, miracles and comforts, but the persecution for the sake of Christ.
These marks are bruises, wounds, insults, beatings, and shame that Christ transfers to those who follow Him. The marks of the Lord Jesus are the marks of the cross that every Christian should have. In the Christian faith, cross-carrying is non-negotiable: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’” (Mathew 16:24).
Get Our Latest News for FREE
In today's Christianity, many are following Christ without their crosses. The focus of many is on what Christ can do for them and they forget that they have the responsibility of partaking in His sufferings. A lot of Christians think that their only responsibility to Christ is just to believe in Him and live as comfortable a life as possible. They are oblivious to the fact that Christians are not only called to believe in Christ but are also called to suffer for Him (Philippians 1:29).
These marks that Apostle Paul talked about are only packaged for those who are willing to suffer for the sake of Christ and His Gospel. Christ was despised, rejected, humiliated, persecuted and crucified, and the apostles who followed in His footsteps were tortured, jailed, stoned and eventually killed simply because they identified with Christ and preached the Gospel.
Let’s not forget also that that God uses suffering to shape the character of those who are His. Even Jesus learned obedience through the mark of suffering (Hebrews 5:8).
Instead, what do we see in our day and age? Sexual immorality and selfish ambitions are on the increase in many churches. Are these not manifestations of the works of the flesh that are marks of Satan? Every Christian should be conscious of these manifestations because the Scripture says “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matthew 7:16).
There are two categories of fruits that are manifested in the body of Christ today: the fruit of the Spirit and the fruits of the flesh. Spiritual Christians bear the marks of Christ that produce the fruit of the Spirit while carnal Christians bear the marks of Satan that produce the works of the flesh.
When this life is over, what marks will you have as a Christian?
Oscar Amaechina is the president of Afri-Mission and Evangelism Network, Abuja, Nigeria. His calling is to take the gospel to where no one has neither preached nor heard about Jesus. He is the author of the book Mystery Of The Cross Revealed.
