SEALED WITH THE SPIRIT

SEALED WITH THE SPIRIT

“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts...In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory...And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

(2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30)

Although they’re not referred to that often, the above scriptures are some of the best you’ll find in all the Bible on a Christian’s assurance of salvation. Paul tells us that after we trusted Christ, God sealed us with the Holy Spirit and that this sealing is our earnest (downpayment) until the day our redemption is complete. That is, when He redeems body, soul, and spirit. He died for the whole man, not a portion. This sealing is our guarantee until the second coming, when He returns to pick up what He purchased over 2,000 years ago! He carries in His body proof of purchase!

The sealing of the Holy Spirit is Heaven’s pledge to each of God’s redeemed that we can be sure we’ll make it to our heavenly, eternal abode; or as the Irish say, “Safe Home!” The king’s seal is unchangeable, Dan. 6:17; the king’s seal cannot be reversed, Esth. 8:8; a seal is evidence of a purchase, Jer. 32:10; and it cannot be broken or opened without the proper authority approving it, Matt. 27:66. When one beheld a seal in Bible times they were reminded of the facts of authorship, ownership, authenticity and protection. Fear not, saint— once sealed, always safe!

An Old Disciple