You’ve probably watched the TV show, Counting Cars where rare vehicles have parts replaced, suspensions upgraded, and bodies redone. The cars undergo luxurious transformations. Some are for buddies, some for sale, and some are kept and added to the hosts’ collection.
“Don’t tell me God collects cars!!” you might say. Actually, He does have chariots of fire (Isaiah 66:15)! And the Bible does say that His disciples did all things in one accord (Accord, car) (Acts 1:14; 5:12)!
But cars aside, the Apostle Paul suffered for Christ (Galatians 6:17) having borne scars or marks upon his body inflicted by the authorities.
Are you counting scars too? I’m sure you also have your share. They might be real and legit from abuse or falls, or figuratively, as in suffering and hardship. Jesus can relate! He was tortured, afflicted, marred (scarred) more than any man (Isaiah 52:14). To this day, and beyond throughout eternity He will carry those scars of love for His people. Read:
‘When someone asks him, ‘What are these scars on your chest?’ he will answer, ‘I was hurt at my friend’s house’ (Zechariah 13:5 GWT).
Although God isn’t counting scars to show off how much He suffered, He did count the cost of coming to earth to die for us, and chose to lay down His life for you and me. He’s changed parts (attitudes, motives, hearts, thought life, etc.) in us. He’s suspended the death sentence that hung over our heads (John 5:24) while He was suspended between heaven and earth (John 12:32). We’ll undergo luxurious transformations of character on earth, while having new bodies in heaven!
God purchased us through His blood from the hands of the enemy and has added us to His personal collection! Once claimed by Him, the world begins to see His transformation in us! His scars make all the difference in our lives! We don’t self-will anything. We don’t evolve into anything. God’s sacrificial offering to quench sin once and for all is what counts! It’s what makes the difference in every life that recognizes and accepts His scars as proof of His love for humanity. Whether you were in immaculate shape, decent shape, or junked beyond repair, it doesn’t matter because the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:26), meaning we were lemons before His eyes! But now, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
And soon at His coming, we’ll be paraded throughout all eternity; everyone will see what His scars did for us! But don’t dwell on His suffering; don’t sit there moping or weeping trying to count the stars or His scars, rather rejoice that He’s alive after dying for you and rising on the third day (1Corinthians 15:4)!
Ready for that new body (2Corinthians 5:1-4)?!
God Bless!
Sam