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Jesus(R), by Phil Ware
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they
recognized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
What's your mark?
What's the distinguishing characteristic that reveals who you are?
How do people identify you?
What is the genuine mark of your identity?
A service mark is incredibly valuable and important for an
organization. It requires a very specific and sometimes expensive
process to receive. The organization must prove it is distinctive. When
approved, it must also be carefully protected and properly used. It is
the mark of identity for that organization.
So what's your mark?
Lots of folks would say, "I wear a cross!" Others would reply, "I have
a fish symbol on my car." But I'm not talking about something you put
around your neck or stick on your car. I'm asking about something more
personal -- something that is a part of you, something that is
indelible and undeniable.
So what's your mark?
The apostle Paul said, "I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus." (Galatians
6:17 NAS) The word translated "brand-marks" is stigmata -- this was
something pricked into or branded into the skin of a slave used to
identify his master. Paul's service mark was Jesus. His goal was for
his life to be totally caught up in and identified with Jesus. (Philippians
3:7-11) In fact, this was his goal for those he was seeking to mature
in their faith, to bring them to complete maturity in Christ. Listen to
his passion as he shares this vision:
But oh, my dear children! I feel as if I am going through labor
pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully
developed in your lives. (Galatians 4:19)
So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them
and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to
present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. I
work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power that
works within me. (Colossians 1:28-29)
Paul consciously set out to live as an example before new Christians so
they could see Christ in him, urging them to follow his example as he
followed the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) He called them to
not only let Christ be their, but for them to try to have his mindset.
(Philippians 2:5-11) Most importantly, he reminded them that the Holy
Spirit was at work to conform them and transform them into the nature
of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
So what's the point?
When people think of you, what do they think of first? What is your
distinguishing characteristic? What is your defining mark?
Hopefully we can say with Paul, "My distinguishing mark, my service
mark, is Jesus!"
Let's pray the prayer of this old hymn and trust that God can make it
true in us!
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
All His wonderful passion and purity;
May His spirit divine, all my being refine
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
When somebody has been so unkind to you.
Some word's spoken that pierces you through and through.
Think how he was beguiled, spat upon and reviled.
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. Amen.
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(c) 2002 Heartlight, Inc.
RELATED LINKS:
* What Jesus Did!
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd
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