There is no doubt to anyone looking at this photo that hubby and I are “tourists.”
We are “marked” as tourists … by our touristy hats … by our touristy water bottles … by our touristy bright-orange “radios” connected to an earpiece in our ears.
Additionally, hubby and I were “marked” as “tourists” because we were following a tour guide. Here you can see our tour guide helper (who usually followed up behind the group making sure nobody got lost). She carried a sign with our tour group number on it.
Anybody walking by could clearly read: “Shore Excursions” on the sign. Obviously, we were “marked” as cruise ship passengers.
Hubby and I were “marked” as tourists. We were “marked” as tourists by our appearance. We were “marked” as tourists by who we were following. We were “marked” as tourists from a cruise ship.
There was no doubt to anyone about who we were. Because we were “marked.”
In the exact same way, those who have repented of their sin and given their lives to following Jesus Christ … they similarly have been “marked” by Jesus Christ.
What does a life “marked” by Jesus Christ look like??
To be “marked” by Jesus is to have the very Spirit of God living in us! I personally find this to be mind blowing! When we repent of our sin and give our sin to Jesus, God in turn gives us his Spirit to live in us.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the early Christians of Rome about this very thing.
“The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, and he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” – Romans 8:11
“Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption. And by the Spirit of God we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” – Romans 8:14-17
God wanted these Jesus-followers to know that they are in the same status as a child of wealthy Roman nobility.
Just as the child of wealthy Roman nobility was heir to all good things … so also, in the same way, a Jesus-follower is likewise a child of God! … and as such, an heir of God’s good blessings!
Just as a child of a wealthy Roman nobility would have no reason to be condemned or cast out of the family … so also, in the same way, as an adopted child of God (and heir of God’s good blessings) there is no reason for a Jesus-follower to be condemned or cast out from God’s love.
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1
Just as a child of wealthy Roman nobility would have full confidence because of their status in the family … so also, in the same way, as an adopted child of God (and heir of God’s good blessings) a Jesus-follower can have full confidence!
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness … the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” – Romans 8:26-27
To be “marked” by Jesus is to have the Spirit of God living us!
The result is a life “marked” by confidence! A life free from condemnation. A life that is victorious/ conquering because of the powerful love of God!
“We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:37-39
