Study Desk

I'm going to come see y'all for the third time. And like the last times, I will not be a burden. I don't want what you have—I just want you riding for the brand. Children shouldn't be the ones providing for the parent when they are able to provide for themselves. It's the other way around.

I'll give everything I have for y'all. But I'll be honest, it seems like the more I care for y'all, the less you care about me.

Y'all know I didn't ask for anything while I was there. Yet, some of you still think I somehow tricked y'all into doing something you didn't want to do.

I'm pushing y'all hard because I'm afraid that when I get there, y'all won't even be able to swing a rope. I'm afraid all my work has been for nothing and y'all haven't practiced or taken anything seriously. I'm worried that when I get there I'm going to find bickering, jealousy, anger, gossip, arrogance, and wrong living.

I really am afraid that when I get there, God is going to humble me because y'all have done nothing you were supposed to. My tears will flow down my cheeks because you have given up your ride for the brand for a life of sin again. You have not rode off from your evil lies, sexual immorality, and sorry ways. I'm afraid you just hid them in a closet, not repented and rode off from them.

This letter is from Paul, a cowboy for Jesus. I was chosen to be a cowboy, but not by anyone here on earth. The authority I've been given came from Jesus himself and his Dad, who raised his boy up from the dead.

I hope y'all are filled with grace and peace that comes from riding for the brand. This doesn't come from what we do, it comes from God through our ride with Jesus.

And we thank him for that precious act. Thank you, God!

Not too long ago, God called you to ride for his outfit through his son, Jesus. I'm appalled you are now riding for another brand. There is only one good news message, but y'all have jumped the fence and are chasing something else.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. You've already believed the good news and are riding for the brand. Anyone who tries to tell you differently is a counterfeit and should be cursed.

If you think I ride for the brand so people will like me, you've got things all twisted up. God is the only one I aim to please. If I wanted people to like me, I wouldn't be riding for the Lord.

The way I used to be isn't a secret. When I rode for the Jews, I carried a running iron and tried to wipe out Jesus's brand. I wanted to wipe it off the face of the earth.

Little did I know though, before I was even born, God had chosen me to ride for his brand. I didn't deserve this kind of grace, but God was pleased

to show me his son and recruit me to ride for his brand. Now my life is all about gathering strays and telling outsiders the good news.When God showed me his son, I didn't run out to find a human teacher to answer my questions.

Three years later, I rode to Jerusalem to meet Pete. I stayed at his place for about two weeks.

The only thing they knew about me was I was the one who would go to any length to wipe out the name of Jesus, but now I ride for Jesus's brand.

When he first got there, he'd eat with everyone, even those without their pickles clipped. But some friends of James showed up and Pete wouldn't eat with the outsiders anymore. He didn't want to rock the boat with those who believed circumcision was necessary for salvation.

When I saw what was going on, I told Pete in front of everyone, "You were born a Jew and followed their ways, but now you ride for the brand and live like an outsider. Why then are you trying to get the outsiders to act like Jews and follow all their rules?

I'd really be a sinner if I tried to make people do the things that I gave up when I signed on to ride for Jesus.

When I tried to keep the Code, I was condemned because I couldn't do it. So, I gave it all up and trusted Jesus did for me what I couldn't do for myself. Instead of being condemned by the code of Moses, I now live for the brand of God.