God's Branding Iron

Do you know what this is? A branding iron.

I have a friend who raises cattle. When the cattle are old enough the day comes when he puts a brand on his cattle. Cowboys and ranchers brand their cattle so that it is obvious whom they belong to. If a cow wanders off, gets lost or even gets stolen, it is very obvious who it belongs to because it has a special permanent mark on it that does not wash off or wear off.

In Ephesians the Bible tells us that God does the same thing with us when we become believers in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:13 says that "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal." That means you belong to God.

Just like the cows, if we wander off, get lost, or even if Satan tries to steal us away we have the permanent brand of the Holy Spirit that says that we belong to God. God's brand does not wash off or wear off. It is permanent. Once we believe we will always belong to him.