Friday Open Heavens Devotional - The Marks Of The Lord Jesus

MEMORISE: From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Galatians 6:17

MESSAGE

A mark can be described as an impression, a distinguishing trait or quality. Marks indicate characteristics or symbols used for identification or indication of ownership. All heaven-bound Christians are children of God and by implication, belong to Christ (Mark 9:41, Romans 8:16). What are the marks of the Lord Jesus?

One distinguishing trait or quality that indicates one’s ownership by the Lord Jesus is faithfulness. Everyone belonging to Christ is expected to be faithful in prayer, in tithes and offerings, in studying the word of God, in their marital relationship, general human relations and in service to God. Are you a child of God? Be faithful to God, yourself and others. Your faithfulness allows God to reveal greater insights to you. Faithfulness brings opportunities to you that are not given to the unfaithful. God takes pleasure in answering prayers that come from a faithful heart. Another mark of the Lord Jesus is obedience to the will of God. Christ came to fulfil God’s perfect will for His life. Hebrews 10:7 says,

“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.”

Are you living according to God’s perfect will for your life? Anything that brings shame or reproach to the Name of God is not God’s will for you. Are you involved in a business deal where it is required that you tell lies, engage in immorality and cut corners? That business venture should be reviewed. It is probably not God’s perfect will for your life. As a spouse, are you obedient to the will of God in your marriage through fidelity, submission and love?

Affiliated to obedience is love. Love is another mark of the Lord Jesus. John 13:1 says,
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”
God is love. The love of God is what indicates that you belong to Christ. You should be able to demonstrate true love to God and man. Love is a benevolent disposition of the mind towards fellow-Christians, growing out of sincere and fervent devotion to God. Indicators of love include kindness, selflessness, humility, self-discipline and purity. Love can endure evil, injury and provocation without being filled with resentment, indignation or revenge. Love is benevolent, bountiful, courteous, and obliging. Love suppresses envy: it is not grieved by the good of others. Finally, love controls and restrains passions. Do you bear in you the marks of the Lord Jesus?

PRAYER POINT: Father, I submit myself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ; let His marks be seen in my life.

READ: 1 TIMOTHY 6:11-14,

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: AMOS 7:9 and MATHEW 9:27-10:15