Quench Not The Spirit; For Faithful Is He That Calls You, Who Also Will Do; To Them Called According To His Purpose - Part 2760

"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 -- ah the Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14)

"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30)

"Quench not the Spirit!" (I Thessalonians 5:19; I Corinthians 14:30)

The question herein is this --what does it mean to be sealed with that holy Spirit of promise?  

Breaking it down, the word 'sealed' is considered a form of preserving that can only be broken or corrupted through tampering. Therefore, sealed means that nothing can penetrate (from the outside in) . Sealed is a form of authentication that cannot be denied. The Mirriam-Webster dictionary further elaborates by adding that sealed is "an impression, device, or mark given the effect of a common-law seal by statute law or by American local custom recognized by judicial decision." 

Scripturally, to be sealed by His holy Spirit is a confirmation that we now belong to the Lord God; that He has pledged that we are His, and thus, saved to the last day. In essence then, the Holy Ghost becomes our seal. Therefore, when we repent (acknowledging that this same Jesus whom we have crucified is both Lord and Christ) and are water baptized in His precious, holy name -- the hame of Jesus (the answer of a good conscience toward God -- I Peter 3:21; Acts 2:36-41), He clothes us in His garment of righteousness. Thus, in a different way, sealing could be summarized as the Lord finishing the transaction. (Jeremiah 32:9-10; John 17:4; Acts 2:36-41; Acts 19:1-5)

Now members of the body of Christ church, the Lord Jesus as Head of the Church and the One and Only Blessed Potentate has in sealing us established His ownership of our souls. (Jeremiah 32:11-12; II Tim. 2:19) Further, we are now secure in Him. (Esther 8:8; Daniel 6:17; Ephesians. 4:30; I Timothy 6:16) We are His precious jewels, the apple of His eye.

Moreover, to be sealed by the Holy Ghost is to now be fully possessed by the Lord Jesus Christ, having surrendered our everything to Him, allowing hIm to lead and guide us into all truth, in holiness and righteousness. Everything including all of our hearts; all of our souls; all of our minds; and all of our strength. And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27)

"According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (II Peter 1:3-4) 

In this context, not only has our sinful nature been displaced (though our sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow), but in affixing His seal upon us the Lord has given us a sound mind; a born anew perspective; a charitable heart; and an understanding, through the knowledge of Him that has called us, that we have escaped the corruption that is in the world. 

But Jesus went further when He asked us to “take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

You see, we have been called according to His purpose, and He who has called us He is also faithful. It is in this context that the early church waited for the promise of the Father, which Jesus said, "Ye have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5) 

When Jesus walked on this earth, He continually instructed us to "labour not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6:27)

And now, through the blood of Jesus on the cross, and His ushering in of the new testament, wherein He gave us His last will and testament, we can know too that we are sealed in Him. That nothing can penetrate His garment of righteousness that He has clothed us in. 

"Now He which stablishes us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (II Corinthians 1:21-23) Christ - the power of God and the wisdom of God.  (I Corinthians 1:23-24)

It is for this reason that we diligently follow the Lord God who willingly became our Saviour, doing everything in both word and deed in His name -- the precious Name of Jesus. And "neglect not the gift that is in thee; which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (I Timothy 4:14-17; Romans 11:14; Titus 2:7) )

Stand in the offering plate.