God Speaking

“Now it is God who makes us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

(2 Corinthians 1: 21 – 22)

I was putting on my socks the other day when I noticed the name of the makers emblazoned along the side, and I was reminded of how many articles of clothing that have the name of the manufacture written somewhere on them. Nowadays it seems to be the custom to wear an expensive tee shirt etc. with an important name to let everyone know how expensive the article is and create envy in all those who see it, marveling at what good taste you have or how wealthy you are according to the name displayed. We still use seals or stamps to signify the importance and truth on documents e.g., University certificates need the seal of the university, or they are not authentic. In ancient times kings had their own rings and if an edict was to be sent out the king would seal it by stamping it with his ring. 

So, what does it mean for us to have the seal of ownership applied to us? When we think deeply of the incredible privilege of having been marked as one of the Heavenly Father’s own precious children it is overwhelming, but it also means a great responsibility on our part. Just the same for when we buy that expensive piece of clothing, we expect it to live up to its name and are very disappointed if it doesn’t, we want to honor the name we bear, by our actions that glorify him. Jesus speaks these words to his disciples 

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (John 6: 27)

When Paul is writing to the Ephesian church, he reminds them again of the wonderful privilege it is to belong to the Heavenly Father 

“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 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1: 13 – 14)

Sometimes in our present-day culture, people are marked and then discriminated against by the color of their skin, or by their race or where they rate in importance, but the wonderful releasing news we are reading in God’s word, is when we are marked by the seal of the Holy Spirit we are new creatures. His name is emblazoned on us, no matter who we are, we have a new identity we belong to the Heavenly Father and each one of us is a precious child.