Ephesians 1:13-14

"In Him, you also after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, Who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. "(Ephesians 1: 13-14, NASB)

 Amazing.  I had never really given much thought to this blessing before; never even noticed it.  I am blessed to be sealed.  Oh, what does that mean?!  Paul says I was sealed the moment I believed.  Believed what? The Gospel, the Good News, the Message of Truth.  I had to do more than just hear those words.  I had to do more than think they were just a good story.  I had to do more than think that Jesus was a good man whose life I would do well to study and try to learn from.  I had to believe that everything I heard about Jesus was true.  I had believe that I was a sinner destined to die.  I had to believe that Jesus paid the price for my sins when He willingly died for me on the cross of Calvary.  I had to believe that He rose again from the grave.  I had to believe that He is God and did all of this for me so that I would have eternal life. 

In God’s great plan He sealed me with the Holy Spirit of promise.  

I like the image of the king’s seal.  A seal of wax was placed over a letter, sealing it until it was delivered to the right person.  That seal would bear the mark of the king.  It belonged to him and was not to be tampered with.  Once the letter reached its destination the seal was broken.  I have been similarly sealed.  Sealed with the Holy Spirit, sealed with God’s own mark.  Until I reach my destination- until that day I step into the glorious presence of Almighty God—there is nothing anyone can do to change my course.  That seal represents my security and God’s authority over me.  What a wonderful thought.  

The Holy Spirit is also given to me as a  promise, a pledge, a down-payment.  The Holy Spirit is God's good faith statement that says He intends to go through with the purchase.  Oh the riches of His grace.  When I consider what it means that I have the Holy Spirit, God Himself residing in me- what an incredible treasure!