Sealed with the Holy Spirit
One of the most encouraging, but overlooked blessings for believers in Christ is that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. I am sure this concept brings two questions to mind for most of us.
First, what does it mean?
The most astonishing truth of being sealed with the Holy Spirit is that we believers actually have the third person of the Godhead living in us! In a mysterious, beautiful and powerful way, God actually lives in every believer. The Holy Spirit directs us, teaches us, comforts us and empowers us, but he doesn’t do these things from outside us. He has actually taken up residence in us and comforts, teaches, directs and empowers by enabling us to experience his presence in us.
The word “seal” at the time of the early church had to do with authority. A government official would typically have a signet ring which bore the official’s initials or their royal crest. When an official document was sent by way of messenger, it would be scrolled up and then warm wax would be placed over the edge of the paper to keep the scroll rolled in place. The official would then push the emblem on their signet ring into the warm wax to indicate they authorized the document. In the same way, God has placed the Holy Spirit in us as seal to officially demonstrate that we are his citizens and his sons and daughters.
Second, why does it matter?
It matters because the Apostle Paul says the Holy Spirit in us is a deposit that guarantees our inheritance in God’s eternal family and in the new heaven and the new earth. We are all familiar with a deposit. It’s small portion of money that we put down on a larger purchase to guarantee that we will pay the whole amount at a future time. God has done this for us! We have a guarantee from the faithful God who NEVER breaks his promises that we have an inheritance in the eternal presence of God. In the new heaven and new earth, we will constantly experience the presence of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We get to live life this side of eternity with God the Holy Spirit living in us now as a guarantee that we will one day have a full and never-ending experience of the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
How could your life look different if you lived with an increased awareness that the third person of the Godhead actually lives in you? What can you do to remind yourself frequently of this astounding reality?
Scripture readings this week
- March 29 – John 15:18-16:15
- March 30 – John 16:16-33
- March 31 – John 17
- April 3 – John 18
- April 4 – John 19