Branded

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 6
 
Just outside my bedroom window is a field of cows.
One of them has the letters J. D. B. burned on her back. We say that this cow is branded. These letters are probably the initials of the former owner of the cow.
A man once said, "I bear in my body the brands of the Lord Jesus." Gal. 6:1717From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. (Galatians 6:17) [Lit. Greek].
This man had suffered much for the Lord Jesus, and perhaps it was some of the scars from the beatings he had received, or marks from the stones thrown at him (2 Cor. 11:24, 2524Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; (2 Corinthians 11:24‑25)), to which he referred.
The same man who could speak of himself as bearing in his body the brands of the Lord Jesus, once wrote a letter to a young friend of his and said in it, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works." Titus 3:88This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8).
He was not referring to good works in order to get saved, for in the same letter he said, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." We are to do good works because we are saved.
Is it known to whom you belong? Are you "branded for life"? No matter where you are may you carry the Name of your Master upon you. May it be known by your doings whose you are and whom you serve.
J. T. Armet