Branded For Christ

Author: Rev. Esther Holmes
May 10, 2018
Think about it!   In order to operate in Gods power we must be “Branded for Christ”.
Gal 6:17 – Paul belonged to Christ spirit, soul, and body.
Gal 2:20 – Crucified with Christ.
Branded by devotion to Christ – he died daily, never backslide, continued on no matter what. “No turning back” for Paul.
Branded by humility – he never looked for praise or credit for what happened.  “What things were gain to me”, says Paul, “these things I count as loss for Christ”
Branded by suffering – Rom 8 – famine, peril, nakedness, sword, distress, tribulation, persecution – add to this list danger upon danger, then multiply it with loneliness, 199 stripes, 3 ship wrecks, 3 beatings with rods, stoning, prison – Listen to his heart full of power to endure say “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment…”. Wow!
Branded by passion – gives compassion – Rom 9:1.  Calls upon the Holy Ghost to bear witness of his witness. Beatings couldn’t put his fire out, fasting and hunger couldn’t, misunderstanding and misrepresentation couldn’t quench it, waters couldn’t drown it, prison couldn’t break it, perils couldn’t stop it’s growth – the flame burned on until he died.
Branded by love – First loved God, man, his enemies, hardships, even pain.  His love took him to the lost, the last, and the least. Great soul winners must be those who greatly love men’s souls.
You can’t be branded by God’s love and be found leaving your first love and being lukewarm (Lukewarm – having hold of nothing, can’t give affection or be loyal or tender, cold, fridged, can’t express affection.) Rev 2:4, 3:14-22
Branding means pain, carrying the name of a servant – will we choose to pay the price?
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