The Sealing

          I have many electrical appliances that have a little tag on the cord that assures me that the appliance has the approval of the underwriters laboratory. It is their seal of approval. It tells me that someone looked at the model of appliance and checked it out to make sure that it would work safely as it was designed to work. My Father usually purchased a car manufactured by General Motors and you could find a seal somewhere on the car that would have a design from the Fisher Body corporation. Seals and tags and guarantees are all important in our lives as we purchase different items, but none as important as the one mentioned in the following passage of Scripture. Ephesians 1:12-14 says, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

         We know that the first three chapters of Ephesians tells us much about our spiritual blessings. The Apostle Paul tells us what happens the moment that we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. I always say that a person gets his or her RIBS. The moment we believe we are Regenerated, Indwelt, Baptized and Sealed by the Holy Spirit. It takes place in a split second of time the moment that we believe. These four things are all wonderful and amazing to consider. I particularly like the fact of being “sealed.” The guarantee of this transaction is described as being sealed and is described as being a “down payment” of our inheritance. As I think about this act, my attention is drawn to the “earnest” or the down payment for this action. The sealing is the Holy Spirit Himself. In this passage, He is described as being the down payment. We know that when you purchase a home you need to often put up what is called, “earnest” money which shows you are sincere in your offer and should you back out, you lose the earnest money. In this case, the earnest is the Holy Spirit. Now that is a glorious down payment for the inheritance. Just think how great the inheritance is if the Holy Spirit is the down payment. Our earthly minds cannot grasp the magnitude of this inheritance. Even though we cannot fully appreciate it, the fact remains that it is our possession and has been guaranteed by the Holy Spirit Himself. Are you having trouble today with a mountain of difficulties, broken promises, sour relationships, struggling finances, depression and discouragement? If so, reflect for just a moment on what you have as a result of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation. You now have all of your RIBS. Praise God today for His Guarantee for the salvation that we have.