Sealed by the Spirit
Sealed by the Spirit. Paul presents to us the progression of our salvation in Christ. First, we heard the gospel, second, we trusted in Christ, and third, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance.
13 In
Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the
Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14, NKJV
Sealed by the Spirit
Paul presents to us the progression of our salvation in Christ. First, we heard the gospel, second, we trusted in Christ, and third, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance.
This same progression exists today among all those who come to Christ. How important is it that we share the Gospel? We will never know until we reach the gates of heaven how many people have come to Christ through the words we have spoken or shared with them throughout our lifetimes. In the book of Proverbs we read, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." (Proverbs 25:11, KJV) May we think of that as God gives us the opportunity to speak a word in His behalf to our friends, families, and acquaintances.
After hearing the Word, we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation. We understand that, before God, we are hopelessly lost. Nothing we can do or say can make us righteous before a perfect and holy God. Yet, what we could not do, Christ has already done for us. As we put all of our hope and trust in Him, through His shed blood, we appear before God as those without sin. How amazing is that?
What happens when we believe? God has given to us the Holy Spirit who seals our eternal fate forever! Not only does the Holy Spirit seal our salvation, but He leads and guides us all of our days upon this earth by quietly leading us in the way we should go. We are not left without a Helper. This Spirit was promised to the disciples by the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” . . . 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:4-5 & 8, NKJV)
This same Spirit is alive in the hearts of all true believers today. His is our helper, our guide, and our comforter. Because we are sealed by the Spirit, the devil is not able to snatch us out of the Father's hand. We are guaranteed a home with the Lord Jesus Christ, forever!
What glorious truths these are to us today. In a world filled with cynicism and despair, we have an eternal hope. Let us, then, be busy in the Lord's service. No matter where God has placed us, let us remember that we have a God-ordained job to do, speaking the truth in love.
Let us live our lives to the praise of His glory, forever and ever!
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