Sealed Forever

Saturday - January 22nd

Scripture to Read Today: Ephesians 1:3-14

---

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13

In ancient times, official letters of importance were stamped and secured with seals. A king or person of high authority dropped a piece of molten wax on a scroll and then pressed their signet ring into the wax. If the ring's impression in the wax arrived broken, that indicated someone had tampered with the communication. On the other hand, an unbroken wax seal with the signet ring impression intact assured an undisturbed and undistorted communication from the one owning the signet ring. A seal such as this was a sign of ownership, authenticity, and authority.

The Apostle Paul told the church at Ephesus that any of us who are in Christ are sealed similarly by the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. "...When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13). So, God seals us with His very presence.

The Holy Spirit's seal of our salvation and eternal relationship with God indicates God's ownership of our lives. He paid the price for us. "You are not your own; you were bought at a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The price was the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7). The indwelling presence of the Spirit secures us as Christ's. What settled security we have in Him!

The seal of the Spirit also speaks of the authenticity of our salvation. It is not a replica nor an imitation. The price paid by the sacrifice of Christ established our forgiveness now and forever.

God gave us His Spirit as the seal of our redemptive relationship with Him to signify His authority. He has the authority to forgive us and make us His children. The presence of the Holy Spirit, like the emblem of the signet ring of a king, indicates that our God has the right and power to declare us forgiven in His Son.

When your failure makes you feel your salvation is in doubt, remember you are sealed forever by the Spirit!