The Stigmata
The "global village" provides a multifaceted dwelling place for Christians. I live in Dallas, Texas historically part of the Bible Belt. (Some even say it has been the buckle!) Life as a Christian is not difficult given that the social surroundings are sympathetic to the sacred. But many of the pastors I teach and train live in unwelcoming parts of the world, places of hostility to the Cross of Christ.
I live in an area where during Easter we have signs in the lawn - He is Risen! Churches center our attention for 2 weeks if not more on the centrality of the Cross of Christ. But for most of the world the cross is a mark of disgrace, it is a stigma. The cross and its marks are called the "stigmata." It is only used one time in the New Testament where Paul says he bears the marks of Christ - the stigmata.
But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world......From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. (Galatians 6:14,17)
The cross of Jesus is either a mark of disgrace and distain or it is a mark of distinction. For the believer the stigmata is a spiritual tattoo and represents a sign of the significance of Spiritual life.
In the future there will be many who have the "Mark of the Beast on their head" (Rev. 13). Whose Stigmata do you have today on your heart?
Serving Him with you
Until He comes for us,
Fred
But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world......From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. (Galatians 6:14,17)
The cross of Jesus is either a mark of disgrace and distain or it is a mark of distinction. For the believer the stigmata is a spiritual tattoo and represents a sign of the significance of Spiritual life.
In the future there will be many who have the "Mark of the Beast on their head" (Rev. 13). Whose Stigmata do you have today on your heart?
Serving Him with you
Until He comes for us,
Fred