THE MARKS OF JESUS
By Carolyn Dale Newell
From now on let no one trouble me,
For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Gal. 6:17 (NKJV)
Beatings, stoning, shipwreck? Most of us have not suffered these things for serving Christ. Rejection, broken relationships, and job loss are the more common types of persecution that we face today. The key to all of this is our attitude. Do we endure the marks of Christ with joy and contentment?
The Apostle Paul certainly suffered for the cause of Christ. A list of his sufferings is in 2 Corinthians 11:23b-28: “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; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness- besides the other things…”
All this suffering and yet he wrote that we should rejoice always and be anxious for nothing. He also said that he had learned to be content in any state (Phil. 4:4, 6, 10, 11).
I have not suffered as Paul did, but we can look to Paul as a shining example of one trusting in God’s sovereignty and power.
Persecution towards Christians is increasing. I pray that the Lord will come before we have to suffer as Paul did. Whether imprisonment or stoning, we must face persecution with the faith of Paul, for when there is faith, there is no fear.
Lord Jesus,
Help us face persecution with the spirit of Paul. With contentment and rejoicing, and without fear. We trust You, and we count it a privilege to suffer for You. Increase our faith so that our fears will not exist. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Phil. 4:4-13. Paul penned this from prison.
HIKING THE TRAIL
What types of persecution have you faced? Pray, asking God to increase your trust in Him so you will not continue in fear and anxiety.
Copyright 2015 Carolyn Dale Newell.
A Mountain of Faith 
Carolyn I am thinking of Pastor Saeed Abedini while reading this. I pray that he will keep trusting and leaning on Jesus for his strength while in prison in Iran. Prayers for all of us to be strong in our God! Great devotion!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so thoughtful. Thank you for reminding me to continue in prayer for him. Blessings!
LikeLike
Paul’s battle scars authenticated his apostleship. Jesus showed Thomas His scars to show it was indeed Him. It seems that true shepherds will receive scars from spiritual battle and other battles for the gospel. They are badges of honor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and for your spiritual insight. I had never looked at it in that prospective. Bless you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow…I definitely join you in that prayer! The news can be really fear invoking, but Great is He. I often find myself praying that I will have that kind of courage should and when the time comes. Wonderful post today Carolyn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting. When we need that courage, I know He will supply it. Blessings!
LikeLike
I’ve been studying 1 Peter 5:6-11 and I’m thankful to read about Paul and how he rejoiced as it relates to the sufferings many are enduring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all need to keep this in our thoughts.Although we may not suffer physically, when we stand for Christ, we may stand alone or with very few.
LikeLike