THE SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD (Part 2)

THE SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD (Part 2)

Kenute P. Curry

Ephesians 1:13-14 states:

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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

The Gospel of Jesus Christ must be heard, according to Romans 10:17, and believed, as stated in John 1:12, to bring salvation.  The word “sealed” in this passage is the Greek word “σφραγίζω sphragízō” which means to stamp with a signet or private mark. In this passage, Paul refers to an official mark of identification placed on a letter, contract, or other document. That document was officially under the authority of the person whose stamp was on the seal. When we give our life to Christ, the Holy Spirit then comes to indwell the believer and places a seal on him, and marks him as one of God’s children. We are under the authority of Jesus Christ. This is the guarantee of our inheritance and redemption. Four truths are signified by this seal:

1.     Security (Daniel 6:17; Matthew 27:62-66).

2.     Authenticity (1 Kings 21:6-16).

3.     Ownership (Jeremiah 32:10)

4.     Authority (Esther 8:8-12)

Christ’s saving work of grace stabilizes believers and places them on a firm foundation in Him (Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Peter 5:10). In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22: it states:

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.  (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

The authenticity of Paul’s life and that of every believer is verified by these four divine works: “establishes us, anointed us, sealed us, given us the Spirit.” We are anointed by Holy Spirit and empowered for service of carrying the truth of the Gospel to others. The same Greek word that is used for “sealed” in Ephesians 1:14 is used here as well. It is the seal or stamp that indicated ownership, authenticity, and protection. The Holy Spirit attaches all of these meanings to His act of spiritually sealing those who know Christ (Haggai 2:23; Ephesians 4:30). 

All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Holy Bible, Copyright ©1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc.

©2011 Kenute P. Curry. All rights reserved.