Paul puts his foot down, and tells these Judaizers, (men who put heavy to-do lists on others to be saved, and for sanctification) to stop trying to inject works and law into grace and the Spirit. Paul’s final reason for them to stop, was that he was a slave of Jesus. He bears the marks (or branding) of Jesus on his physical body. These marks on his body were not a reproach to him, but a banner to all people. Paul’s Master was Jesus, and he lived and died in the name of Jesus.
The branding of legalism
Elevates the person
The marks of Jesus
Elevate the person of Jesus
The marks of Jesus, represent joy, gladness, and free voluntary unselfish and sacrificial service to our King Jesus. Father God, thank You for the opportunities each day to sacrifice for Your sake, to share on Your behalf in the suffering of Your Son Jesus, so that I can be filled up daily through grace with what is lacking from my life in my power. Allow me to suffer with Jesus, sacrifice for others as He sacrificed for me, and bear the marks of His name as a banner over me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ACTION: Voluntarily lay my life down over and over again in the name of Jesus