Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Words of Faith 1-21-2021

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

www.faithfellowshipweb.com

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Ephesians 1

[11] In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,   [12] in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.   [13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,   [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. 

     In the plan of the Creator, Paul and His colleagues were chosen to be the first to hope in Christ.  The Ephesians were among those who were next, part of the mystery of God’s unfolding plan. 

    The Ephesians were included in Christ and lavished with His grace by God's choice and His plan.  They first heard the Word of Truth.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.  The Word is more than just a report or even a tool.  The Word is god-breathed and carries the power of the Gospel of salvation that calls people to faith. 

     But there is more.  The believer is sealed or marked in Him.  There is a seal placed upon the believer.  The Greek word sphragidzo means to stamp with a signet or private mark for the purpose of security or preservation.  A letter or document was always sealed by an official or ruler, indicating that it could not be tampered with without severe consequence. 

     In our case, God is the One who seals, Christ is the sphere in which the seal is done, and the Holy Spirit is the instrument of the seal.  The “seal” indicates security, authentication and approval, certification of genuineness, and identification of ownership.  There is no other seal except that of the Holy Spirit.

     The believer is stamped with the mark of the Holy Spirit as a secure protection. The believer cannot be tampered with without severe consequence.  The believer is sealed for the purpose of preservation. Those who attempt to break the seal of God face severe consequence.  Jesus said-- “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin (Luke 17:1-2).

      The Holy Spirit is our seal but also a deposit or guarantee.  The Holy Spirit is like a “down payment” or “earnest money” placed on a property that guarantees a purchaser will return. The Holy Spirit in us declares the truth of His return. The Holy Spirit is like a “portion of heaven” that lives within us so that we can enjoy Him now and know that Christ will return for us.  This deposit guarantees our inheritance until the final redemption of all who are God’s possession. We are literally “signed and sealed” as we await delivery.  

    So are you sealed?  Are you aware of your seal?  Are you rejoicing in the protection and security of His mark that is upon you?  Are you rejoicing in the hope of His return for you that is guaranteed by the down payment and deposit He left for you?

    Holy Spirit, I rejoice in Your presence in my life.  I find hope in the seal that You are upon me--the mark of Your presence and security in my life.  Keep me secure and safe in You.  Give me Your peace as I look toward Your coming. In Jesus’ Name. 

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2010, 2021

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)       

2820 Business Center Blvd.

Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.