Feb 04
2:06 AM
Your Identity In Christ | Part 9 | Sealed
Feb 04
2:06 AM
Feb 04
2:06 AM
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Ephesians 1:13B
Thanks for joining me for a dose of encouragement in Scripture today. For the last eight days we've talking about our new identity in Christ. When you become a Christian, you have a brand new identity. Why is that important? Because you can't live the fullness of the Christian life until you understand your identity in Christ. In John 10:10, Jesus says, "I have come that you might have life in all its fullness". You can't live as your old identity, you have to live in your new identity. And when you become a Christian, God does an amazing series of things. They're listed in Ephesians chapter one. I've described eight in the previous days (you can go back to those and catch up if you need to). Today I want to talk to you about the ninth new identity you have because of Jesus Christ, and that's this, you are sealed.
You're sealed. Ephesians 1:13b talks about this, it says, "when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you are marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit".The idea of "seal" is an interesting one. It's the Greek word, sphragizo. (I'm sure that changed your life right there. Haha.) What does it mean, when it says "seal"? It means it has the idea of security. It has the idea of authenticity. It has the idea of ownership. And it has the idea of authority. But here's what he says, "you are sealed in the Holy Spirit", that means you're marked, sealed. It can have the idea of sealing, like you put a thin wax coating to preserve a food product. Or sealed in the sense, in those days, when you had an important letter, to secure it, you would wrap it, and then you'd put a seal, where the end of the roll met the existing roll. And then you put a signet ring or stamp that says this is from me, the king, or a certain individual.
You're sealed. Ephesians 1:13b talks about this, it says, "when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you are marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit".The idea of "seal" is an interesting one. It's the Greek word, sphragizo. (I'm sure that changed your life right there. Haha.) What does it mean, when it says "seal"? It means it has the idea of security. It has the idea of authenticity. It has the idea of ownership. And it has the idea of authority. But here's what he says, "you are sealed in the Holy Spirit", that means you're marked, sealed. It can have the idea of sealing, like you put a thin wax coating to preserve a food product. Or sealed in the sense, in those days, when you had an important letter, to secure it, you would wrap it, and then you'd put a seal, where the end of the roll met the existing roll. And then you put a signet ring or stamp that says this is from me, the king, or a certain individual.
You are sealed. How? By the Holy Spirit. You're good. You're sealed. You're not going anywhere, you're secure. You're under the authority of God. Isn't that a great feeling?! A feeling of feeling secure, that you know God will never leave you nor forsake you, that you're always his, that you're eternally secure in him. He's never going to leave or forsake you.
I know this -- when I have security in God, I can have security around anybody else. I don't care what kind of big shot you are. I don't care who you think you are. I know this, I know who I am and Christ. I am sealed and secure in Jesus Christ. I don't have to perform for you. I don't have to have you like me. The King of the Universe says I'm secure in him and that's good enough. I'm telling you so many people feel insecure and they need to understand in Christ, they're sealed and secured.
Don't find your security in your own performance. Find your security, in the forgiveness and relationship you now have with Jesus Christ, because he sealed you. I hope that you understand the amazing blessing of security in Jesus Christ. No matter what insecurity you have, Jesus Christ can be your source of security. It's not what others think of you. It's not even what you think of yourself that counts. What impacts your life the most is what the God of heaven and earth says about you. And when you're a Christian, he says you're sealed and secure. Live that way.
Let's pray. Father in heaven. Thank you for this amazing truth, that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. Not just sealed in some wax coating or by some signet ring, but were sealed by the God of the universe, the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. Because we're sealed and secure help us to live secure. Help us overcome our insecurities by reminding ourselves of who we belong to. And we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.