Saturday, November 7, 2026

Scripture

“From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.” Galatians 6:17

Reflections

The Apostle Paul spoke of carrying “the marks of Jesus branded on my body”.  What were those marks?

In 2 Cor. 11, Paul spoke of receiving countless floggings, and often being near death.  Five times he received the forty lashes minus one.  Three times he was beaten with rods.  Once he received a stoning.  It’s hard to imagine him surviving that without some physical scars.

It is not likely that many in the U.S. would experience bodily harm for being a follower of Jesus.  Compared to our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world, we have it relatively easy.  Seldom challenged, we can fall into complacency, taking our faith for granted.  We must beware that we do not become too comfortable and end up like the church in Laodicea, “Because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 1:16)

God can bring good from even hardship and persecution, purifying our faith.  As we read in 1 Pet. 1:6-7, “In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for the bold example of faith of those willing to suffer for You.  Keep me from taking You for granted.  Guard me from the curse of complacency.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Galatians 6:17-18