Signed, Sealed, And Delivered

You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.

Ephesians 1:13-14

Archaeologists have uncovered many ancient seals from biblical times, some of them containing names of figures mentioned in Scripture. Seals in biblical times served an important purpose. If a king, for example, wrote a letter, it was sealed with wax into which his ring was pressed. This proved its ownership and authenticity. The Bible frequently talks about the role of seals in securing information or property. The seals mentioned in Revelation 6 carried great authority, and only Jesus was approved to open them.

The apostle Paul says we, too, are sealed. God has taken personal possession of His people, sealing us with the Holy Spirit who is placed in our hearts as a guarantee of our future riches in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:22).

Do you ever write your name on your possessions, or put them in a lockbox, or have an important document notarized? The Lord has written His name on our hearts, secured us in the lockbox of His love, and notarized our salvation with ink drawn from the veins of Christ. We are securely His!

The hearts of believers are stamped with the Spirit as with a seal . . . the Spirit of promise.

JOHN CALVIN^a