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Ephesians 1:13-14, Blessings in The Spirits Seal
“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”.
This text proclaims the joyous assurance of heaven that God’s children possess through the work of the Spirit. This is not a lesson on becoming new creatures in Christ (obtaining the new birth). God’s children are not born again according to works they perform (II Timothy 1:9), of works they accomplish (Eph 2:9), or by works they do (Titus 3:5). In fact an individual is not even able to understand spiritual things (I Cor 2:14), or see the kingdom of God unless they are already spiritual or born again (Jn 3:3). This passage is about one who already has the Spirit of God. When such a one believes the gospel the holy Spirit seals him with the holy Spirit of promise.
The seal of the Spirit suggests four things. First it is a proof of ownership, like a brand upon an animal. Cattlemen brand their livestock to identify the animals that are theirs, not to make them their animals. Even so, when one of God’s children believes in the work of Christ the Holy Spirit is blessing them with the knowledge that they are one of God’s children, not making them one of God’s children. When one who is concerned with the guilt of their sins finds rest in the gospel message of a Savior who died for sinners, the holy Spirit instills a hope or promise in the individual that he is covered by Christ’s blood. This rest of peace and joy is a ‘seal’ that one is a child of the King of Glory.
Secondly, the seal of the Spirit is a proof of authenticity, like a trademark upon a product. Is the soda you are drinking the ‘real thing’? If it has the Coke trademark upon it, you know it is. Are you an authentic child of God? Do you sometimes think you might be mistaken, or that you are am imposter? Dear one, if you know that your only hope of heaven is a righteousness outside yourself, a righteousness that God himself must provide, you are one of his. Jesus spoke hope to a troubled, discouraged, and doubting John the Baptist, “Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see . . . the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Mt 11:4-5). Trembling believer, may you rest in the embrace of the Spirit of promise that you are indeed God’s dear child.
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Thirdly, the seal of the Spirit is a pledge of promise, like rings at a wedding. Sweetly couples exchange rings as a token or sign of the vows they have made. Even so, the Spirit of God sweetly blesses an individual with belief in Christ’s blood. This is a pledge from God the Father through the Third Person in the Trinity that such an individual is His, and He will never let them go.
Finally, the seal of the Spirit is a part of the whole, like a sample of a product. Ever been persuaded in the grocery store by samples available at the end of an aisle? Are you going to enjoy the rapture of heaven for eternity? One can hardly imagine the blessing of that world. No more pain, sorrow, tear or death. Believers are given a bit of that blessedness right here on earth. The seal of the Spirit of promise is an actual part of heaven right now.
When travel plans are made online an email is sent to the purchaser with itinerary numbers giving confirmation of the flight, car rental, hotel, or dining reservation. This gives assurance to an individual that indeed all necessary arrangements are secured and he may anticipate the intended plans. Upon hearing the gospel and believing in the work of Christ for the redemption of his sins the Holy Spirit gives assurance that one is an elect and that Christ has reservations secured for him in heaven. This ‘email confirmation’ from heaven is the seal of the Spirit of promise and it is the earnest of a heavenly inheritance.
The elect that God chose in Christ before the foundation of the world are described by theologians to be in ‘legal union’ with Christ (Eph 1:4). When the elect are born again it is said they are in ‘vital union’ with Christ (Ro 8:9). When an elect born again hears the gospel and believes in Christ he may be described as one who has ‘knowledgeable union’ with Christ (Col 2:5-7). Read Ephesians 1:13-14 again. After you heard about a finished redemption in Christ did you not experience the greatest joy and deliverance you had ever known? This joyful blessing is the Spirit’s seal upon you. This is a foretaste of heaven’s joy. May we live to His glory who has given us the foretaste and earnest of heaven.
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