TODAY’S READING: Ephesians 1:11-14
KEY VERSE:
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” EPH 1:13
Did you know that the origins of the wax seal date back to before the invention of pen and paper? Historians believe that it may have originated in ancient Mesopotamia where officials used a form of seal to authenticate written tablets by leaving its unique mark in drying clay.
In time, the humble wax seal would become integral to the signing of official documents when sending important written information. Each seal would bear its owner's unique design such as a coat of arms or an emblem. Think of it in terms of your own personal signature. In that day and age, such a seal carried the same level of authority.
As the use of wax seals became increasingly popular, even relatively insignificant documents were stamped with a seal as a simple way of identifying the sender. We can see, however, that the practicality of the wax seal went beyond mere identification of the sender; an unbroken seal on delivery meant that the content of the letter remained secure!
With this in mind, isn’t it exciting when Paul states that in Christ Jesus, we who believed in Him were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit?! Paul is not saying that the Holy Spirit is the agent who ‘stamped’ us with a seal but rather that the Spirit is the seal. God sealed us with His very Spirit! When the world looks at us, they should ‘see’ the one who sent us!
Wonderful!
Not only that, but the Holy Spirit protects and preserves Christians until the day on which they will reach their glorious inheritance!
ACTION STEPS
• Read Ephesians 1:11 – 14
• Pray and thank God as you go throughout your day for the privilege of being sealed with His Holy Spirit.
• Read and rejoice over these scriptures regarding the Holy Spirit and ask the Lord to guide you in their practical application in your life: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Hebrews 9:14 & 1 Peter 1:2.
• Ask the Lord to guide you in their practical application in your life.