Two weeks ago we began a discussion regarding the
results of personal salvation in Christ and why it might be associated with
enhanced wellbeing as found through Teleios research.1 The current
blogs are describing what happens, as taught in the Bible, at the time of
salvation resulting in a steadfast new and wonderful position of a believer.
We have discussed already the past two weeks several
wonderful promises accompanying salvation. This week let us overview the Spirit
sealing, another fantastic biblical promise!
The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood, but He is
a key component in our salvation, resulting position before God and subsequent
Christian walk.
At Salvation the Holy Spirit is given to us. This
is a great promise and is a part of the results of our belief to salvation by
faith alone in Christ’s substitutionary work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9). These
are the main points to review about the Spirit at salvation. Read and enjoy!
Spiritual baptism - We discussed this great promise two weeks ago; that the Holy Spirit
regenerates us to a new life in Christ, identifying us with His death and
resurrection upon the cross. We are a new creature in Christ (Romans 6:2-9,
Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10).
Entry into the church - The Spirit places us in the church universal through which serve
Christ.
The Spirit sealing - This week we learn that the Holy Spirit at Salvation is given to us
as a seal unto the day of our redemption, the second coming of Christ, when we
will live with him eternally (Ephesians 1:13-14, II Corinthians 1:22, 5:5).
Fortunately, this seal is not talking about a
cute aquatic mammal, but it is speaking of a secure seal to bind us to Christ.
Seals were used in the ancient world as a legal means to close a document ISBE.
If a king had created a new law or order, molten wax might be poured on the
document to seal it and the king's signet ring pressed into the wax. The king’s
symbol in the wax would tell the carrier or the recipient that the contents of
the document were the king’s will and breaking the seal inappropriately or ignoring
the order was done at a person's own peril.
We are sealed by our King and it reflects the
same legal and unbreakable character as ancient law. Further, the Spirit seals
us throughout our whole life on earth until we go home to heaven. Importantly,
all those who believed by grace in Christ's forgiveness on the cross are
Christians and have the Spirit and the seal (Ephesians 2:8:9).
What great promises we possess as believers in
Christ with a position so eternally secure with a great hope for the future and
a steadfast anchor our souls while we are on Earth (Hebrews 6:19; I Peter1:4-5).
Thank you for joining me on this fascinating
Journey of who we are as a Christian before God. Please join us again next week
to learn more.
WC Stewart
1.
MacIlvaine, W.R., Nelson, L.A.,
Stewart, J.A., Stewart, W.C. (2013). Association of strength of religious
adherence to quality of life measures. Complement Ther Clin Pract, 19:251-255.
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