A new creation, bearing the marks of Jesus

A new creation, bearing the marks of Jesus

GALATIANS 6 v. 15 – 17
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.
Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.
From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.’

As Paul wraps up his letter to the Galatians, he reminds them that circumcision is only an outward symbol of allegiance to an older order (the way of the law), but what matters is the change which Jesus creates from within a person – a changed heart, a renewed mind, a whole new creation.
No outward show or sign comes anywhere close in comparison.
This new creation, the new person, will bear the marks of Christ’s suffering – we are born again in and through Him, and the marks of the nails in Jesus’ hands, the wound in His side, the piercings from the crown of thorns, will all symbolically become a reality for those who are ‘in Christ’. But we shall also know the ‘peace and mercy’ of our God, in all things.
Hallelujah.

PRAYER
May the mind of Christ, my Saviour
live in me, from day to day
by His love and power controlling
all I do and say.

May the peace of God, my Father
rule my life in everything
that I may be calm to comfort
sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
as the waters fill the sea
Him exalting, self abasing
this is victory.

May His beauty rest upon me
as I seek the lost to win
and may they forget the channel
seeing only Him.

(hymn written by Kate B. Wilkinson)

AMEN

CHALLENGE
In what ways would you say you ‘bear the marks of Jesus’?
Try to put into words the new life, the ‘new creation’, Jesus has birthed in you.

Phil Gough