“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).
What does it mean to be “Sealed” with the Holy Spirit? In biblical times a seal was something that was affixed to a letter (I Kings 21:8), or possession, or a proof of authority (Esther 8:8), or something to guard (Matthew 27:62). For instance, a letter from one party to another might have a wax seal to keep it not only private, but to guarantee that it’s source or author was genuine. In this case, it was also a stamp of authority. When Jesus was buried in the tomb, the Roman guard sealed the tomb shut to denote its closure was permanent (thank God it didn’t stay that way).
So, what does it mean that you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit? First, it means that God has stamped his authority on your salvation. His seal denotes that you belong to him. You are his possession. And the enemy cannot break that seal.
Second, his seal is a proof of authority. The King of the Universe possesses you as his very own. You, therefore, carry his authority to minister in his name, to speak his word, to bring the king (Jesus) to others. Wherever you are, you are an official representative of God’s kingdom, an ambassador (II Corinthians, 5:20).
Thus, God’s seal on us promises that we will inherit the kingdom when Jesus comes to lay claim to it during his second coming. And being sealed, we will possess it with him, through him.
Memory Verse
“We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:20).
Application
How do your daily actions represent God’s authority in your life? How do you express your ambassadorship to the world around you? What can you do to show that you are a child of God?