Sealed by the Spirit

"In whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." - Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV)

This sealing of the Holy Spirit is one of the most precious doctrines in all of Scripture, yet many Christians have never fully experienced it.

Let me give you five key aspects of what this sealing means:

1. Authentication - A seal is a symbol of authenticity, like a notary seal that makes a document official. The Holy Spirit authenticates our salvation. When you sign important documents, the notary places their official seal on the document to verify its authenticity. In the same way, the Holy Spirit has placed His seal on your life to authenticate that your salvation is real and genuine.

2. Authority - In Old Testament times, a king would write a decree and then take his signet ring, heat wax until it was pliable, and place his stamp on that document. It was a mark of authority. The Holy Spirit has marked us with God's authority. When that royal seal was pressed into the hot wax on an official letter, everyone who saw it knew this document carried the full weight and authority of the king. You carry God's authority because you bear His seal.

3. Acquisition (Ownership) - To Whom do you belong? - If we were ranchers, we'd brand our cattle with our mark to show ownership. In the same way, the Holy Spirit has branded Himself on our hearts, signifying that we belong to Jesus. When cattle roam across vast ranges, that brand tells everyone who sees them exactly who they belong to. The Holy Spirit is God's brand on your life - you belong to Him.

4. Approval - We've all heard the phrase "seal of approval." When something receives an official seal of approval, it means it has been examined, tested, and found acceptable. God has given you His seal of approval through the Holy Spirit. You're not hoping to be approved someday - you already have Heaven's seal of approval.

5. Assurance - But I want to go further than just these definitions. The sealing of the Holy Spirit is primarily about assurance - it's a moving event in the life of a child of God where he is assured of his salvation beyond any shadow of doubt.

When you read the testimonies of great men and women, sometimes they describe experiences of assurance, confirming their salvation. John Wesley was doctrinally sound - so methodical in his devotions, they called his followers "Methodists." But there was a moment when he was listening to someone read Luther's commentary, and he said his heart was "strangely warmed," and he knew from that moment on that he was one of God's children.

In Romans 8:16, it says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." This is what the sealing of the Holy Spirit looks like experientially in the life of a child of God. It is the very apex, second only to heaven itself - this place in the life of the child of God where he knows that he knows that he knows that he is in the family of God. Praise the Lord!

Personal Reflection Question: Which of these five aspects of the Holy Spirit's sealing do you need to experience more fully in your life today - authentication, authority, ownership, approval, or assurance?

Heavenly Father, thank You for sealing me with the Holy Spirit of promise when I believed on Jesus. Help me to understand and experience the fullness of what this sealing means. Give me that overwhelming certainty that I belong to You completely. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from: "Sealed by the Spirit" (Ephesians 1:11-14): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/2jry7yd/5-secured-by-the-spirit-eph-1-11-14