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Verse By Verse Devotional On 2 Corinthians By Pastor Jack #31

April 27, 2016 | by: Jack Lash | 0 comments

Posted in: 2 Corinthians

Sealed by God

1:21-22 "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge."

Paul refers to this anointing here as a seal and a pledge. Let us now consider what it means that God has sealed us by His Holy Spirit.

A seal in the ancient Roman world was a stamped imprint (usually on melted wax) which was used in business transactions to designate ownership and authenticity, thus guaranteeing protection.

Seal in v.22, then, refers to the fact that through the Spirit’s presence and work in our lives God has placed His claim of ownership upon us.

"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." (Eph.1:13)

We are a people in process. This age is not the last one. We are in a preparatory stage, not a final one. We are not yet fully what we shall be. We have been called and set apart but not yet consummated. The work of the Holy Spirit is to prepare us for the great wedding day when our engagement to the Lord is fully consummated.

"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Eph.4:30)

We are "sealed for the day of redemption." That is, the Holy Spirit has been given to us as a mark of divine ownership, setting us apart for the day of glory. That day is our destiny. That day is the day for which we were made, for which we were chosen, for which we have been redeemed. But there is work to be done in us before we are ready for that day.

In one sense, it is as if the Holy Spirit is an engagement ring. His presence in our life is a sign of a glorious day to come. We are now linked to the Lord by an unchangeable promise, but our wedding day has not yet arrived. In the meantime, the Holy Spirit is at work in us preparing us for that day by sanctifying us, washing us with the water of His word, that we might be presented to Christ our bridegroom on that day in all the glory of the bride of Christ, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but holy and blameless (see Eph.5:26-27).

The Holy Spirit and His work of sanctification in our lives is the seal of God, God’s mark upon His people, His signature, His sign that “This one is Mine, and no one can snatch him out of My hand; this one is set apart for the day of My glory.”

I give thanks to You, O God my Father, for the marvelous work of Your Holy Spirit in my life. As I see Him convicting, enlightening and transforming me I am assured of Your ownership of my life, and of my redemption on the last day. I give You glory, Lord, for I know that this is all of You and none of me. Please may His work go on in me, and increase, that I may be ready for the great wedding day of the Lamb, when Your people are presented to Christ as a bride adorned for her husband.

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