I was reminded in an email today about one
of the big deals of the summer season out in Montana.........branding day.
It is usually a day of shared resources and fun as ranchers and their extended
family, friends, and neighbors gather for the fellowship of work, branding
the newborns of their herds.
I learned that there is an important technique to branding. Holding the hot iron against the critter long enough to burn into the hide is critical. If the iron is removed too quickly, you end up with a “hair brand” which will disappear later when the hair grows out, leaving no brand at all.
When we were transformed into a relationship with Jesus Christ by faith, we were branded. “You are marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). This is an imprint that marks us, soul and spirit as children of God in the flock under his care. We are sealed as being owned by him because we were purchased for a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20). It may have involved some pain in leaving things behind as part of repentance, but the mark we bear of the cross and the death of Jesus is significant and worth every bit of discomfort. We carry around the death of Jesus, like a brand, so that the life of Jesus may be manifest in us! (2 Cor. 4:10).
Play acting as a Christian doesn’t work forever. Some like going to church but fall short in the intention of KNOWING Christ. Some go to church to please a spouse or keep peace in the family. But sooner or later, the hair grows out. True commitment and ownership is revealed.
May we all be submitted to the Lord’s ownership and marked with the character of His sealing kingdom brand!
I learned that there is an important technique to branding. Holding the hot iron against the critter long enough to burn into the hide is critical. If the iron is removed too quickly, you end up with a “hair brand” which will disappear later when the hair grows out, leaving no brand at all.
When we were transformed into a relationship with Jesus Christ by faith, we were branded. “You are marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). This is an imprint that marks us, soul and spirit as children of God in the flock under his care. We are sealed as being owned by him because we were purchased for a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20). It may have involved some pain in leaving things behind as part of repentance, but the mark we bear of the cross and the death of Jesus is significant and worth every bit of discomfort. We carry around the death of Jesus, like a brand, so that the life of Jesus may be manifest in us! (2 Cor. 4:10).
Play acting as a Christian doesn’t work forever. Some like going to church but fall short in the intention of KNOWING Christ. Some go to church to please a spouse or keep peace in the family. But sooner or later, the hair grows out. True commitment and ownership is revealed.
May we all be submitted to the Lord’s ownership and marked with the character of His sealing kingdom brand!
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