The Mark of the Lord Jesus

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. “ – Galatians 6:14-17

In Galatians 6 Paul talks to those who are believers and have been under pressure of the Jewish church to be circumcised as their law required.  He tells them that these only want to glory in their own flesh, and that they should be glorying in the cross of Jesus instead.  All we have to be prideful of is that Jesus died for us.  That’s it.  Nothing more.

But then Paul says something interesting to me.  He tells them to not trouble him any more, because “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”.  This is beautiful when we understand what he is saying. 

In those days a slave would have a mark put on their thigh or leg that was to identify them by their master’s mark.  What Paul is saying is that he is a slave to Christ, and not man’s opinion.  He warned them in the prior chapter not to be put back into a “yoke of bondage” by following the pressures of religious people.  Instead, he tells them to walk in the Spirit, letting the Holy Spirit guide their every action.

Brothers and sisters, there can only be one God in your life.  Either you allow the Holy Spirit to rule over you, or you allow yourself and others to rule.  One master, that’s all we can have.  To have the Holy Spirit’s seal upon your life and follow another master is a dangerous thing.