Stamped

Jesus Christ — He is the One who came by water and blood; not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the One who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. - 1 John 5:6

The first time that I saw a sign advertising rubber stamps in Francophone Africa, I was pretty surprised. I mean, they seemed to be everywhere! You see, the French word for a rubber stamp is "tampon."

They really like their rubber stamps in French-speaking Africa and therefore, there are signs to advertise them everywhere. My first thought was, "You have got to be kidding me!" Then, I learned what the word really meant. Yes, learning a new language can be both embarrassing and hilarious!

When we lived overseas, I often passed through customs control for a neighboring country and would receive a piece of paper stating that I was authorized to move about freely while there. This piece of paper was stamped twice with two separate rubber stamps. I then took this piece of paper to a local police station where, no kidding, the same piece of paper was stamped two more times with the same rubber stamp! Obviously, at least in West Africa, a piece of paper wasn't authentic unless it has been "stamped" a lot.

Which led me to wonder, "How can a Christ-follower be assured of authenticity before Christ?" Quite simply, we need a "stamp," bit does not include ink. The stamp (or identifying mark) we require is the Holy Spirit, received one time for all time. He is all the proof a person will ever need for He is Himself is the Spirit of Truth.

Achievement is not the most important thing. Authenticity is. - Unknown