Sealed by the Spirit
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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory
Ephesians 1:13
When we accept Christ as our Savior we receive the Holy Spirit who dwells within us forever. If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you (John 14:15-17). We have the Holy Spirit, but what does it mean to be sealed by the Holy Spirit?
The above scripture tells us we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing our inheritance, and we are God’s possession. The Holy Spirit is our seal of God’s promise of eternal life, and identifies us as his people, the Church. Set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:22). In the book of Revelation we are told that in the last days, God’s wrath will come down on the earth to torment unbelievers and those who persecute Christians. However, those sealed with the Spirit will not be tormented because we are in God’s family and heaven is our home.
The Holy Spirit is our seal guaranteeing eternal life and brings us into God’s family. So how do we get the Holy Spirit? I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? (Galatians 3:2). We cannot get the Holy Spirit through our works and without the Spirit we can do nothing. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5). Receiving the Holy Spirit requires that we believe in our hearts that Jesus died for our sins and only through him do we have eternal life. If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). When we believe in our hearts we will desire to repent, which means we turn from worldly sinful life and start living the Godly life defined by his Word, guided by the Spirit. Then to be sure you have the Holy Spirit, proceed to be baptized just as Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17), and Paul (Acts 9:18), the jailer and his family (Acts 16:33), and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36-38).
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). Once we have the Holy Spirit we are predestined to conform to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29). If we do not follow the Holy Spirit by becoming spiritual warriors fighting our sinful nature, we could very easily be grieving the Holy Spirit. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6).
Today, know you are sealed for eternity by the Holy Spirit and remain sealed by being Christ-like, following the Spirit. You are in God’s family and you will receive his divine blessings as you live as His servant.
Let’s Pray: Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit, my seal for eternal life. Guide me to be Your servant, bringing the good news of Christ to anyone who will listen. Fill my heart and mind with your love, courage, and wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen