May 9th, 2023
Do you know who you are in Christ? This is something that’s been on my heart this week and it’s one of the most important things we must understand as children of God. His promises will remain unfulfilled in our lives until we walk in the truth that every single one is for us! One of the guarantees of those promises is His Holy Spirit. You may not feel like it when you go to work in the morning or pick your kids up from school, but as a believer, you have a mark that sets you apart from the world! When we’re grafted into God’s family by the blood of Jesus, He gives us a measure of His Spirit. Most of us know that the Holy Spirit is the comforter, but He is much more than that! The Bible teaches that one aspect of the Holy Spirit’s identity is the “seal” of God. Take a moment to read a few verses regarding this truth:
There are two words in those verses that appear repeatedly. The first, usually translated “seal” means to “set a seal upon.” A good equivalent of this idea in today’s world would be a signature. We sign important documents to affirm their legitimacy, however a seal carried even more authority. In ancient times, individuals of importance had seals that were specific to them, often, but not always, in the form of a signet ring. The seal would have an emblem that would be unique to the owner, and it would be made to be dipped in hot wax and then pressed onto a document. A document on which someone set his seal would carry the authority and agreement of the one who’d sealed it.
Think about this in light of the verses above! The Holy Spirit is the Father’s seal upon our hearts and lives. He’s like the Father’s signet ring. When we accept the sacrifice of Jesus, He marks us with His seal so that all of heaven and hell will know that we belong to Him!
The next word that appears repeatedly in the above verses is translated “guarantee.” This word essentially means a “down payment,” given when purchasing something in order to ensure security for the rest. Think about that in the context of those verses, as this is still a common concept today. Ephesians 1:14 says “the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.” He’s the promise of an inheritance we did nothing to earn. Romans 8:16-17 says,
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
The Holy Spirit is the Father’s promise that there’s more for us in heaven. He’s the guarantee that even though we’re in this world, we’re not of it. We were redeemed with a price we could never have paid. We can taste our inheritance in this life, but we won’t know the fullness of it until the next! 1 Peter 1:3-4 confirms this saying,
“[God] has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
This should revolutionize the way that we think and live, as we were bought with the highest possible price and marked by the Father Himself. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says,
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.”
1 Peter 1:17 echoes this truth saying,
“And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Lest we forget who we are, the Father has given us His very own Spirit as a guarantee. This is the heartbeat of the gospel, and it’s absolutely necessary that we understand who we are to Him. We were purchased, redeemed, bought for the highest price, “not perishable things such as silver or gold, but the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” The Holy Spirit bears witness to that truth in the heart of the believer. He’s the Father’s seal—His mark or signature. He is the assurance that we’ve been redeemed and are now children of God—co-heirs of the Messiah— with an inheritance in heaven. Jesus will be back for what He gave His life for—a pure bride to present to His Father. You’ll live differently when you understand that you are sealed in the Father’s authority and assured of your heavenly inheritance. This is what sets you apart. You can’t look or live like the world when you bear the signet mark of the King of Heaven. You’re marked by God the Father, consecrated by the blood of Jesus, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. That’s the final word on your identity, and you’ll walk differently when you know who you are!
“He signed my deed with His atoning blood. He ever lives to make His promise good. Though all the hosts of hell march in to make a second claim. They all march out at the mention of His name.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:22-23 “It is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:5 “He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
- Ephesians 1:13-14 “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 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
There are two words in those verses that appear repeatedly. The first, usually translated “seal” means to “set a seal upon.” A good equivalent of this idea in today’s world would be a signature. We sign important documents to affirm their legitimacy, however a seal carried even more authority. In ancient times, individuals of importance had seals that were specific to them, often, but not always, in the form of a signet ring. The seal would have an emblem that would be unique to the owner, and it would be made to be dipped in hot wax and then pressed onto a document. A document on which someone set his seal would carry the authority and agreement of the one who’d sealed it.
Think about this in light of the verses above! The Holy Spirit is the Father’s seal upon our hearts and lives. He’s like the Father’s signet ring. When we accept the sacrifice of Jesus, He marks us with His seal so that all of heaven and hell will know that we belong to Him!
The next word that appears repeatedly in the above verses is translated “guarantee.” This word essentially means a “down payment,” given when purchasing something in order to ensure security for the rest. Think about that in the context of those verses, as this is still a common concept today. Ephesians 1:14 says “the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.” He’s the promise of an inheritance we did nothing to earn. Romans 8:16-17 says,
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
The Holy Spirit is the Father’s promise that there’s more for us in heaven. He’s the guarantee that even though we’re in this world, we’re not of it. We were redeemed with a price we could never have paid. We can taste our inheritance in this life, but we won’t know the fullness of it until the next! 1 Peter 1:3-4 confirms this saying,
“[God] has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
This should revolutionize the way that we think and live, as we were bought with the highest possible price and marked by the Father Himself. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says,
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.”
1 Peter 1:17 echoes this truth saying,
“And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Lest we forget who we are, the Father has given us His very own Spirit as a guarantee. This is the heartbeat of the gospel, and it’s absolutely necessary that we understand who we are to Him. We were purchased, redeemed, bought for the highest price, “not perishable things such as silver or gold, but the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” The Holy Spirit bears witness to that truth in the heart of the believer. He’s the Father’s seal—His mark or signature. He is the assurance that we’ve been redeemed and are now children of God—co-heirs of the Messiah— with an inheritance in heaven. Jesus will be back for what He gave His life for—a pure bride to present to His Father. You’ll live differently when you understand that you are sealed in the Father’s authority and assured of your heavenly inheritance. This is what sets you apart. You can’t look or live like the world when you bear the signet mark of the King of Heaven. You’re marked by God the Father, consecrated by the blood of Jesus, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. That’s the final word on your identity, and you’ll walk differently when you know who you are!
“He signed my deed with His atoning blood. He ever lives to make His promise good. Though all the hosts of hell march in to make a second claim. They all march out at the mention of His name.”
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