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The Holy Spirit: Why Is His Sealing Important?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

What are people looking for in life?  It depends on who you ask.  For some, it is wealth and riches, having all their material needs met and plenty of luxuries besides.  For others, they want popularity and fame, not only being recognized by others as important and valued, but also being at the top of their particular field of endeavor.  There are those also who would like to be free from major problems, whether it be physical illnesses, financial setbacks, or relationship breakdowns.   These are only a few of the ambitions in men’s hearts.

But when you condense these longings, there are three elements which most people would list as essential in life:  a sense of security    . . . a sense of belonging. . . and a sense of satisfaction.  These three components are too often lacking.  So many do not feel secure, whether physically, financially, or spiritually.  There are those who feel isolated and lonely, lacking close, meaningful relationships and having no group to which they truly belong.  Many lack true satisfaction in life, always striving to find something more which will bring complete fulfillment and accomplishment.   It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life which provides all three key elements.

In the past nine articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter  We are focusing now on the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation.  Thus far, we have seen that He convicts the world, revealing His truth to their hearts; regenerates the sinner that trusts in Christ, giving him spiritual life; indwells the believer at the point of saving faith; and anoints every believer by giving him/her the ability to understand the Word of God.  Now, we will examine another doctrine of the Spirit related to salvation—His sealing—which provides the three key elements mentioned earlier.  We will answer the question: “The Holy Spirit:  Why Is His Sealing Important?”    

What is meant by the Spirit’s work of sealing?  

  • The Spirit’s sealing defined
    The sealing is that ministry of the Holy Spirit by which He guarantees the certainty of the believer being possessed by God and preserved until the day of redemption.  

  • The Spirit’s sealing described

    • Who is involved in the sealing?   Not only has the Father anointed us (II Cor. 1:21), He has also sealed us:  “. . . who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (II Cor. 1:22).   The One who is the seal is the Holy Spirit:  “. . . you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13b).  “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30).  Every believer in Christ is sealed (II Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30).  Even carnal believers are said to be sealed (II Cor. 1:21-22; cp. I Cor. 3:1-4), and no believer is ever exhorted to be sealed, which implies that it has already occurred and does not need to be sought. 

    • When are believers sealed?  The sealing occurs at the very moment of receiving salvation.  The sealing and the giving of the Spirit in our hearts happen at the same time (II Cor. 1:22).  “. . . in whom [Christ] also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13).   The sealing continues until the day of redemption (Eph. 1:14; 4:30), when our redemption is complete and we receive our resurrection bodies (cp. Rom. 8:23).  

    • Why are believers sealed?  There are various uses of seals in the Scriptures:  a document, deed, or decree sealed so it would be made authoritative and complete (I Kings 21:8; Neh. 9:38; Esther 3:9-10; 8:7-8); a book sealed so it can’t be opened (Isa. 29:11; Rev. 5:1, 2, 5, 9); a grave sealed so its contents cannot escape or be stolen (Matt. 27:66; Dan. 6:16-17); an object or person sealed so it can be claimed as one’s own and protected (Ezra 9:4; Rev. 7:2-8) or authenticated (John 3:33; 6:27; Rom. 4:11). For the believer the Spirit’s sealing signifies:  

      • Divine ownership—signifies that we are owned by God, that we belong to Him  (cp. Jer. 32:9-12; II Tim. 2:19).

      • Eternal security—signifies that we are protected by God and that our salvation is secure (II Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:14; 4:30).  

      • Finished transaction—signifies that our salvation is a finished transaction (Jer. 32:9-12; I Kings 21:8; Neh. 9:38).  

(Sources to Consult:  Class notes—Soteriology, Professor Otis Stone, Calvary Bible College, 1978; The Holy Spirit, Charles C. Ryrie, pp. 80-82; The Divine Comforter, J. Dwight Pentecost, pp.. 144-153; Systematic Theology, Vol. VI,  Lewis Sperry Chafer, pp. 136-137) 

When we trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior and the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us as the seal, we have a new sense of belonging.  We are no longer separated from God, but instead belong to God as His possession.  We have a new sense of security.  The Holy Spirit is the guarantee or down-payment of our eternal inheritance, and there is far more waiting for us in eternity.  We possess a salvation which can never be lost or taken from us.  We also have a new sense of satisfaction.  We enjoy a salvation which can never be earned or pur-chased.  There is nothing that we can add to it, since it is already a finished transaction, having been purchased by the shed blood of Christ. How can we know that all three elements are reality in our lives?  We know it because we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit!

Charles Ryrie illustrated the Spirit’s ministry of sealing this way:  “One of the best illustrations of sealing is a piece of registered mail.  When something is registered at the post office, it is sealed until delivered.  Actually only two persons can open registered mail—the sender (if it is delivered back to him) and the recipient.  In the case of the believer, God is the one who sends him on the way to heaven, and God in heaven is the recipient on his arrival.  Therefore, only God can break the seal of our redemption, and He has promised not to do so; and the guarantee of that promise is the presence of the Holy Spirit who is the one in which we have been sealed by God” (The Holy Spirit, p. 82).   What a blessing and security to know that we as believers have been sealed with the Holy Spirit!

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie