The Guarantee
Paul establishes the standard or criteria for the Ephesians at the outset of his epistle. He writes: “that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” Ephesians 1:4.
Initially this admonition and requirement seems odd since Paul had previously determined that it is impossible to be righteous by mere knowledge alone. In fact he told the church in Rome, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do . . . As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. . . For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to- this I keep doing. . . What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Romans 7:15-24.
Paul answers his own question which establishes the qualitative distinction and supernatural reality that interrupts and aborts sin’s cycle of domination and usurpation in our lives: “Thanks be to God- through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Verse 25.
The apostle elaborates on this theme in the epistle to Ephesus. He confirms how the law which is spiritual is accomplished in our lives, which are unspiritual. See Romans 7:14. It is based on each believer being “in Christ.” When you are “in Him” and His word lives, dwells, and abides in you, then you receive the Holy Spirit who seals you. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13.
In the original language of the NT the term “seal” means to confirm, authenticate; it also indicates security and permanency and certainty. In other words when we are “in Him” the Holy Spirit is stamping us for security and preservation. Paul reiterates this point by warning the church not to reject the Spirit: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30.
Paul underscores this message by stating the Spirit is “the guarantee of our inheritance.” Ephesians 1:14. The Greek word for guarantee means “earnest-money” deposited by the purchaser and forfeited if the purchase was not completed. We have the powerful message of salvation depicted in this passage. We know that Christ has purchased our redemption: “you are not your own, you were bought at a price. . . Be shepherds of the church of God which he bought with His own blood.” 1 Cor.6:19, 20; Acts 20:28.
To confirm and complete this saving transaction we must live and remain in Christ Jesus who empowers us to obey Him. God gives us the Spirit of promise, who daily seals us as a guarantee of what is to come. If you’re wondering what exactly is to come, then read Revelation 7:1-3. “Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God . . . Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Verses 2, 3.
Receiving the seal of the Holy Spirit each day empowers and facilitates our complete obedience to God, which insures that you and I will receive the seal of God before Jesus returns to this earth. O Happy Day!
Live in Him Today
Pastor Gary