"Brand"

I’ve dragged ‘em to the fire,

I’ve run ‘em through the chute,

To sear ‘em with the branding iron,

And doctor them to boot.

And through the smoke and burning hair,

No matter how it’s done,

It is a lifetime mark they wear,

When to the herd they run.

And that is just the point, you see,

The reason for the brand,

It’s all about the ownership,

Of livestock ‘cross the land.

I’ve often thought about it,

The brand that Christians wear,

Though we might sometimes hide it,

His ownership is there.

And that’s because He bought us,

His spilled blood was the price,

And that gives us our value,

His awesome sacrifice.

The Kingdom brand upon us,

Is placed with holy fire,

To seal our lives forever,

And honor God’s desire,

To live with us forever,

On heaven’s blessed range,

Because His grace has saved us,

Empowered us to change.

Wear that brand so thankful,

And let the whole world know,

That we belong to Jesus,

Through us let His love flow.

“And it was not paid with mere gold and silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God…” (1 Peter 1:18-19, NLT)

God is our Creator, but our relationship with Him is lost through our sinful, selfish behavior. In order to cure this problem, God send His Son to ransom or redeem us. By dying on the cross, Jesus paid the price for our healing and restoration to the Creator. Being bought with this price changes everything. It shows us how valuable we are, and reminds us constantly that we belong to Him. We are empowered to cooperate with the One who created us, redeemed us, and ultimately owns us. Celebrate His ownership!

Lord, help us thankfully and faithfully wear the Kingdom brand, in Jesus’ name.

Photo by Kirstie Lambert, used by permission. Thanks, Kirstie, and God bless you.