From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Paul bore in his body lasting marks of the Lord Jesus, including a lasting effect upon his eyes from being blinded by the heavenly light at his conversion. Those marks remained with him as a constant testimony to Christ's glory. They kept continually before him the assurance of Christ's sustaining grace for his ministry, which he longed to carry with him as he undertook and continued that work.
His wounds and scars received in serving Christ were marks of warfare and trophies of victory. The trials and injuries of Christian service are therefore not defeat but evidence of faithfulness and endurance in the fight of faith. So also now, a few faithful followers bear in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus as they choose self-denial and the way of the cross in seeking to know Christ and him crucified.
To bear Christ's marks is to belong to Christ as one molded by God and bearing Christ's superscription. It is to stand set apart as one of God's people, living in the world without belonging to it. It is to live as a pilgrim seeking a heavenly country.
Paul bore in his body lasting marks of the Lord Jesus, including a lasting effect upon his eyes from being blinded by the heavenly light at his conversion. Those marks remained with him as a constant testimony to Christ's glory. They kept continually before him the assurance of Christ's sustaining grace for his ministry, which he longed to carry with him as he undertook and continued that work.
His wounds and scars received in serving Christ were marks of warfare and trophies of victory. The trials and injuries of Christian service are therefore not defeat but evidence of faithfulness and endurance in the fight of faith. So also now, a few faithful followers bear in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus as they choose self-denial and the way of the cross in seeking to know Christ and him crucified.
To bear Christ's marks is to belong to Christ as one molded by God and bearing Christ's superscription. It is to stand set apart as one of God's people, living in the world without belonging to it. It is to live as a pilgrim seeking a heavenly country.