You haven’t followed Christ far if you have no wound, no scar. Vance Havner said these words during a sermon where he was paraphrasing Amy Carmichael. I love these words because they are so true. It doesn’t matter if you’ve only been a Christian for a short time or for many years; these words ring true. You haven’t followed Christ far, if you have no wound, no scar.
So, gut check time Christian. Do you have any wounds? Do you have any scars? Jesus was beat beyond recognition. He suffered 39 lashes across His back and then He hung on that horribly cruel cross for six torturous hours for your sins. Don’t you think you could suffer a little ridicule? Can’t you suffer a little mocking? A little scoffing? Your salvation cost Jesus everything. He paid the ultimate price for guilty sinners like you and me. What is your salvation costing you?
Christians are being martyred around the world (especially in Muslim countries) for their faith. Shouldn’t the rest of us put up with being called names and being ostracized by our families? Christian, if you have no wound or no scar, then you have not been in the battle. As Douglas MacArthur once said, we serve a 7 star general (Revelation 1:16). He doesn’t need any other generals and He sure doesn’t need any armchair quarterbacks.
So get in the battle! Fight the good fight. Pray, study the Bible and then go (Mark 16:15). God calls us to be obedient. Be an obedient soldier and go, stand and speak. Profess your faith to others. God doesn’t need you to stay in the reserves. Go to the front line and witness to this lost and dying world. Follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. We are to be Christ-like and if you are truly being like Christ, you will have wounds or scars (John 15:19-20).