Ephesians 1:13-14
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, we’re 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.”
When I talk to someone about what it means to be secure in our salvation, this is one of my favorite passages to point them to. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is such an amazing gift. The Spirit has so many important roles in our spiritual growth and effectiveness, but when Paul says that He is our seal, we don’t always catch the richness of that term. H.W. Hoehner explains that Paul’s readers would have understood ‘seal’ to mean security, authentication, approval, certification of genuineness, and identification of ownership – all that in that simple word. When we choose to believe and follow Christ, God stamps us as His own. The seal of the Spirit shows that He proudly claims us, and gives us not only the peace that comes from His constant presence but assures us of all that awaits us in eternity. When you think about the various meanings that being sealed with the Holy Spirit entails, which one stands out most to you today?
*Hoehner, H. W. (1985). Ephesians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 619). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Use the HEAR method (see below) as you read today’s passage.
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Today’s post is by Jon Price
Enjoying Belmont Daily? Consider subscribing and never miss a post!
Today's reading is Ephesians 1:13-14. "When we choose to believe and follow Christ, God stamps us as His own. The seal of the Spirit shows that He proudly claims us, and gives us not only the peace that comes from His constant presence but assures us of all that awaits us in eternity."