Having believed in Christ to salvation the Bible says “you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” Ephesians 1:13. There are two primary purposes for a seal, first it is a mark of authenticity such as a brand or trade mark, identifying it to anyone who looks upon it; second, it is a secure closure for preservation. When God places His Holy Spirit within and upon us we are marked as His, and everyone around us should begin seeing that seal as we stop participating in the old sinful ways and habits, our language and disposition should begin to take on the qualities and characteristics of Christ, and we find hope, joy, and peace in the pursuit of godliness, and the fellowship of other believers. Now for the second purpose of this seal God has purchased us “with the precious blood of Christ” 1 Peter 1:19, and 2 Corinthians 1:22 says “that He “has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee”, preserving us from this evil world from which we will be redeemed by him at His coming, Ephesians 1:14, for His glory. Some say this assures that you cannot be lost no matter what you do after salvation; however these fail to recognize that this guarantee is only valid if you abide by the contract, or remain under that seal; once the seal is broken, as for example on a can of food, it is subject to spoilage. Jesus guarantee that “they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand…” John 10:28-29, but this only remains in force as long as we remain in Him under that seal. No man can break that seal but He did not say we could not break it ourselves! Indeed the Bible says explicitly “that in the latter times some will depart from the faith”, 1 Timothy 4:1. God will discipline, He will try to correct, but He will not force! Jesus Himself said “he who endures to the end shall be saved” Matthew 24:13.
God’s seal
By Rose Hill
When the word of truth we have heard,
And live according to that holy word.
God promised the Holy Spirit to us He would give,
As a seal that unto Him we live.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.