What are your identifying marks?

I grew up during a time when tattoos were taboo. They were usually done in the dark alleys or in prison cells, and bore little if any resemblance to the elaborate “ink art” we see today. I never really thought much about it until my children were grown and decided they were going to get tattoos. When I asked my son why he wanted to get “inked”, he said, “Dad, it’s no big deal. I just want it as an identity mark.” The tattoo he got was a nautical star with the words “I know the way” written underneath in Greek. As I think about his response to me that he just wanted the tattoo as an "identity mark”, I wonder how many of us have the identifying marks of followers of Jesus? When you read thru the scriptures, there are certain characteristics that we should have if we claim to be Christians. For example, 1 John 4:7-8 says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Paul wrote numerous times in the epistles that we should love one another, pray for one another, honor and give preference to one another. Jesus said that we are to love our neighbor as ourself and if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. Do you have those identifying marks in your life? I’m not talking about being perfect. But are you growing in love, growing in faithfulness, growing in your prayer life, growing in sharing your faith? I’m also not talking about faking it. Anyone can put a Christian bumper sticker on his or her car, but that doesn’t make you a believer. The question is, “Does your bumper sticker really describe who you are or are you a faker?” Tough question for some of us...
And this applies to us as a church as well? Does MVC bear the marks of a Christ-following family of faith? If so, we will have certain characteristics. Paul wrote to the Colossian church, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)
So ask yourself today – “Am I bearing the marks? Or am I trying to act like something I’m not whenever it benefits me? Is your life being changed daily? Is God growing you more and more into the likeness of His Son? Are you growing in love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience?” These things are identifying marks of a disciple of Jesus Christ.

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