Branded Boys and Girls

By Harold Smith

I have a story today about being branded. Are you branded? Oh, yes you are! People know you for wearing some kind of a brand. You know, when a person is a drunkard he has a brand on him. When you're a criminal, a bandit, or a bankrobber, you have a brand on you. People know you for what you are. Years ago in the western states when the cattle just roamed the open praries, there were few roads and no fences. In the early spring, when the mothers had their little baby calves, each farmer would go out and find their calves, and with a hot branding iron, would brand their own calves. One rancher said to another, "You just put your brand on my calf!" "Oh, no we didn't", the other said. "Oh, yes you did!", the man said. "I can prove it!". "How can you prove it?", said the other. "Let's let the calf go to its mother, and see which brand the mother has", the man replied. Sure enough, the little calf ran right off to its mother, and the first rancher was right, the other fellow had branded his calf. So they had to change the brand and get the right brand on that calf, the brand of its rightful owner. Now, boys and girls, if you're a Christian, if you know the Lord Jesus, you ought to wear a brand so people will know it. Paul said, "...I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus" in Galatians 6:17. He meant that there was something about his life that let people know that he was a Christian. You know, it's easy to say "I believe in the Lord" when you go to Sunday school, but do you say that when you go to grade school? When you're out with the rest of the boys and girls and they're swearing and telling dirty stories and doing things that they shouldn't do - do you show your colors then? If you're a real, real Christian, then you ought to show your brand. You ought to show who you belong to. You ought to show that you're real, that you're a Christian and stand out and stand up for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" - Romans 10:9. "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed" - Romans 10:11. Are you ashamed of the Lord Jesus? Do you wear your brand? I hope you do if you're a Christian! If you're not, trust in the Lord Jesus and become a Christian. Do it today and be saved!