GALATIANS 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”.
“BRANDED FOR CHRIST”
Thank you for stopping by and visiting our ministry page. May this month’s teaching out of the Savior’s saddle bag be a blessing to you !
Being a cross walker(the Lord has blessed me with a cross many years ago to take to the streets and churches and etc.) the Lord always gives me verses to reflect on and pray on during the day. Galatians 2:20 has been that verse here of late. “ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me ”. The word for crucify used in this verse is a very special word in the Original Greek test and it means to be crucified with. In Cowboy talk we have been “Branded” with Christ ! What does this verse mean to us ? Picture the cross of Christ in front of you. Many folks come to the cross and say I believe what Jesus did and what he provided for me on the cross. We are to be crucified with Christ which means the old you dies and is buried and the new you is raised.
Through Jesus Christ and the blood He spilled on Calvary, we are crucified with Him and we become the person He created us to become. The old you dies like opinions and ego and un-forgiveness and bitterness and the list could go on and on and on.
Accepting Jesus is accepting being crucified with Him and going through the cross. Then we live from the other side of the cross. We see and live from Christ’s perspective. We see others through Christ and we see our circumstances through Christ. Jesus not only provided for an eternal life with Daddy God, He brought His Kingdom with love and power and glory for us to live in each day ! So why don’t we see more church folks living in this power and glory ? They say they believe in Jesus as they stand before the cross but have never been crucified with Christ and entered the cross and live from the other side of the cross.
This is compared to standing in front of your barn door with the door open and you want to saddle your horse who is in the barn and go riding. As long as you stand outside the barn you will never be able to saddle your horse and ride your horse. You have to enter the barn door to ride just as you have to enter the cross to truly walk with Jesus. The verse above informs us that Christ lives within us. This does not happen if we are not crucified(Branded) with Him. This is the difference between “pew warmers” and folks who truly follow Jesus. Jesus said we would know His true followers by the fruit they bear in their lives. (Galatians 5:22-23)
We who are “Branded” have Jesus living within us and Rivers of Living Water flowing through us (John 7:38) and access to God’s Kingdom. There is nothing in this world that compares to being “Branded” for Christ. Those who just come to the cross and do nothing are removing themselves from so many blessings that Daddy God has for them. There is nothing like waking up in the morning and being aware of Jesus flowing through your uniqueness and your talents and abilities and gifts. The world is dying to see Christ flowing through you because you ride with the “Brand”.
Those who ride with the “Brand” are set apart to be light and salt so they can impact the world around with them. The love of Jesus is calling you to come and be “Branded” through the cross. Riding with the “Brand” is the only way to ride. I hear Jesus calling you, come to the cross and be crucified with Me and experience the life that only comes from riding with His “Brand” !!! Cowgirls and Cowboys, just do not look at the cross, come and be transformed and receive the “Brand” of life and love everlasting.
God bless your boots off,
Doug
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