Ephesians 1:13 -14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having 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.”
Today is Valentine’s Day. Everyone I see seems to be loaded down with chocolate-filled boxes, candy hearts, and flowers. I have a dozen roses from my Sweetie in a vase in the living room. The romance of this day makes me think back to the fall of 1990, when Mark first put that ring on my finger! I had to show everyone, and I spent hours just looking at it, letting the light reflect off of the diamond. That ring told the world that I was engaged! I belonged to someone special. The ring set me apart as “officially off the market,” and was a promise of wonderful things to come.
In this passage, Paul speaks of a similar mark. When we choose to join God’s family by accepting the gospel, or good news of Jesus Christ, God marks us with the seal of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in our lives sets us apart as belonging to God. The Holy Spirit lets the world know that we are His.The Holy Spirit gives us just a taste of the good things to come. He is the first installment of our inheritance, as a child of God.
“But you can’t see the Holy Spirit,” some of you may ask. And you’ve got a point. I can’t see the wind, either, but I know when it is windy outside. I can’t see air, but I certainly know when I need some. And though we can’t see the Holy Spirit, we can certainly tell when a person belongs to God. We can see evidence of that promise in their lives, for they will exhibit the treasures of love, kindness, goodness, joy, peace, patience, and self control that only comes from God. Kind of like an engagement ring.
And God likes to show off His children. Sort of like when Mark and I were first engaged – Mark enjoyed taking me around, introducing me to his friends and colleagues. He liked showing off “his girl.” He was proud that I belonged to Him. God loves His children, and He is proud that we belong to Him. He stamps us with His seal, so that all the world will know that we are His.
Dear Father, Thank You for marking me with Your Holy Spirit. I pray that I will always live my life in a way that will make you proud.
Amen
I like the idea of being marked with a seal – like a binding contract.
I agree. While many people may call off their engagements, God is not going to “call off” His commitment to us. We are His.
Dearest Renae,
I love you and I love the Lord this morning.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of the mark, the seal of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
I thank God for this mark in my life, and for the moment by moment on-going move of the Holy Spirit in my life.
Any Christian not fully walking in the gift of the Holy Spirit, given to us as a departing treasure by Jesus and His Father, is missing the heart and soul and breath of the Christian walk.
I love you and adore you, Holy Spirit, Son, and Father.
Jlo
Precious. A good reminder of that seal and being set apart and “off the market” with God. Love your writing, friend.
Thanks, Judi and TJ! 😉