“In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God].” Ephesians 1:13 AMP
It was standard practice in Biblical days for a person to place a mark on their possessions clearly identifying to whom they belong. That mark was a key identifier and legally accepted as proof of ownership. When one went to court or the local governmental body, any document that was signed need to have the seal of the person impressed in wax showing the legal responsibilities and requirements of the owner and to verify the terms written inside. The imprint of the seal carried all the legal authority of the parties involved.
This historical practice forms the context for the sealing of the believer with the Holy Spirit. God seals each believer with His Spirit to secure us until the day of redemption when our salvation will be complete! He stamps us with His official mark of ownership by placing His seal, the Holy Spirit Himself upon us. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus,
“In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God]. 14The Spirit is the [f]guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 AMP
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].” Ephesians 4:30 AMP
God’s seal pictures the finished transaction of His purchasing us. It clearly marks His ownership and authority over us and secures every responsibility He has to take care for us! Paul told Timothy,
“Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.” 2 Timothy 2:19 AMP
This sealing occurs at salvation even though we may not sense it or experience it. Paul’s wording in Ephesians argues that every believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit. I His letter to the Corinthians he wrote,
“Now it is God who establishes and confirms us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and who has anointed us [empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit]; 22it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].”
2 Corinthians 1:22 AMP
Because God permanently seals us with His Spirit, we are forever secure as His prized possession! No power on earth or in heaven, now or yet to come, is strong enough to break His seal over our lives! Our final redemption rests entirely on God and His authority represented by His seal upon our lives. No earthly discouragement or circumstance can change who owns us and guards our path! We are forever His, stamped with the seal of the Spirit, which no one can break! That is why we are told to live our lives in a way that glorifies Him! We should daily show forth the marks of His ownership!
"His Mark"
“In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God].” Ephesians 1:13 AMP
It was standard practice in Biblical days for a person to place a mark on their possessions clearly identifying to whom they belong. That mark was a key identifier and legally accepted as proof of ownership. When one went to court or the local governmental body, any document that was signed need to have the seal of the person impressed in wax showing the legal responsibilities and requirements of the owner and to verify the terms written inside. The imprint of the seal carried all the legal authority of the parties involved.
This historical practice forms the context for the sealing of the believer with the Holy Spirit. God seals each believer with His Spirit to secure us until the day of redemption when our salvation will be complete! He stamps us with His official mark of ownership by placing His seal, the Holy Spirit Himself upon us. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus,
“In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God]. 14The Spirit is the [f]guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 AMP
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].” Ephesians 4:30 AMP
God’s seal pictures the finished transaction of His purchasing us. It clearly marks His ownership and authority over us and secures every responsibility He has to take care for us! Paul told Timothy,
“Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.” 2 Timothy 2:19 AMP
This sealing occurs at salvation even though we may not sense it or experience it. Paul’s wording in Ephesians argues that every believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit. I His letter to the Corinthians he wrote,
“Now it is God who establishes and confirms us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and who has anointed us [empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit]; 22it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].”
2 Corinthians 1:22 AMP
Because God permanently seals us with His Spirit, we are forever secure as His prized possession! No power on earth or in heaven, now or yet to come, is strong enough to break His seal over our lives! Our final redemption rests entirely on God and His authority represented by His seal upon our lives. No earthly discouragement or circumstance can change who owns us and guards our path! We are forever His, stamped with the seal of the Spirit, which no one can break! That is why we are told to live our lives in a way that glorifies Him! We should daily show forth the marks of His ownership!
Have a blessed day! Pastor Ken