In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
— Ephesians 1:13–14 —
Gabriel Martinez Garcia: Word of Grace Biblical Seminary | Mexico
During biblical times, important men carried with them their personal seal on a ring or on a cylinder hanging around the neck. To imprint, their seal meant ownership and personal certification. It served as a warranty that the person himself backed what was sealed. Scripture claims: “You were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit.” God sealed us with His Spirit, certifying that we belong to Him and are united to His Son. We who are sealed with the Spirit will share in the inheritance of Jesus Christ. And the seal is the Holy Spirit, who is “a pledge of our inheritance.” He is an advance payment, the certainty that God will personally ensure that no believer will ever be lost. The presence of God’s Spirit is the most intimate guarantee that we will inherit all that God has promised. As God’s personal seal, the Spirit is a sign of God’s ownership of the believer. What God owns, He will not abandon! Our salvation, from beginning to end, depends not on our own efforts but on God. His Spirit cannot be lost and will not be taken away. We who are sealed with the Spirit will share in the inheritance of Jesus Christ. We who believe in the gospel will never be put to shame. Though adversity may come, and though sorrows like sea billows may roll, God will protect His own possession to the very end. Hence, being sealed, we may be confident, waiting for our appear- ing before the Lord, enjoying the advance payment of our inheritance today, and living to the praise of God’s glory and grace.
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