The Greatest GiftsSample

THE GIFT OF BEING SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Trained bank tellers and others handling money can distinguish between real currency and counterfeit. The real stuff has markings embedded between the bills’ fibers that can be seen when one knows how to examine the money. Real. Genuine. Authentic.

The third gift is being sealed with the Holy Spirit.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession -- to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14, NIV).

It is a gift to be sealed in Him by the Holy Spirit!

What does it mean to be sealed in God by the Holy Spirit? Think of a letter or edict in the days of Paul. It was common for a king to write a letter on animal skin parchment, roll it up, and then dip his royal signet ring into hot wax and press the wax onto the parchment, sealing the letter, assuring that if anyone opened the letter, they would crack the seal. It made the letter authentic. It was certified as coming from the king.

So what happens when God seals you with the Holy Spirit? It makes you authentic. It certifies that you are from God and that God protects you. Whoa! Your life as God has chosen you is to be read by others as someone who is “of God.” That is a pretty big responsibility, isn’t it? However, here’s the good news. If you are sealed by the Holy Spirit and walk in the ways God calls you to walk, you reflect God naturally, or perhaps we might say “supernaturally.”

Recall that Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to his followers.

“But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the Truth. For He will not speak His own message; but He will tell whatever He hears and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come. He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of what is Mine and will reveal it to you.” (John 16:13, AMP).

The Holy Spirit is leading you into truth. You are reflecting that truth to others. You are sealed, and that seal “is given as a pledge of our inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:14, NASB). It’s a promise from the King! We are His children. We will spend all eternity with the King. More appropriately, we are spending all eternity with the King. He promised it. He sealed it. It’s done. What a gift!

Open your hands and receive this gift today -- the gift of being sealed with the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for the gift of being sealed with your Holy Spirit. I am your authentic child who represents the King of kings. Protect me and help me reflect You today in all I am and all I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.