The Seal—The Guarantee

The Seal—The Guarantee

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Eph. 1:13-14.

We have received the right of inheritance and are Christ’s fellow heirs, but we will possess our inheritance only after the redemption. The person who has received a guarantee has thereby received an assurance of his rights. In like manner we, too, have received the Holy Spirit as a seal.

It is not necessary for us to live in doubt and uncertainty about whether we have the right of inheritance or not. Perhaps you are uncertain whether you have received this guarantee and are sealed? When Jesus promised His disciples that He would send them the Holy Spirit, He also said what the Holy Spirit would do—that He would guide them into all truth. He will glorify Jesus to us. He will remind us of what Jesus has said, and He will speak to us of things to come. John 14:26; 16:13-14.

We have the guarantee if we are co-workers of the Spirit in His work with us. We receive it and keep it through obedience. We read the following in connection with a number of exhortations: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Eph. 4:30.

The work of the Spirit with us is sanctification. 2 Thess. 2:13. He reminds us to cleanse ourselves from all defilement, which is why we have all these exhortations. We grieve the Holy Spirit if we are slow in cleansing ourselves, and we can lose the guarantee if we are disobedient. Then we have also lost our right of inheritance.

Many people have lost these reminders and the instruction of the Holy Spirit. Difficulties come so we can partake of a deeper cleansing. However, most people forget what they are called to and what they are living for, and instead of being cleansed through the difficulties they are defiled (for example) by bitterness and anxiety. But have they then forgotten their calling? Were they not chosen to be holy and without blame before Him? Eph. 1:4.

Who is likely to forget the purpose of his education? If someone wants to become an engineer, will he forget that when he encounters difficulties? Not at all! His whole life is geared toward it. Who forgets that he is going to build a house? He has made his decision in that regard, and he invests his life in that project until the house is finished. This also applies to someone who has responded to his election of being holy and without blame before His face. He does not forget what he is living for when he comes into difficulties. Not at all! The Spirit whom he has received as a guarantee reminds him, teaches him, and glorifies Jesus to him. This is the assurance of our right of inheritance, for we do not run with uncertainty.

Those who have not forsaken everything live for earthly things as well. They have not received the guarantee; neither do they get these reminders. In their difficulties and in their busy life they forget that they should be without blame. The consequence is sin upon sin. Afterwards they pray to Jesus for forgiveness to have their sins erased because they have a bad conscience. This is not a life in progress, or sanctification. Such people have not received the assurance of their adoption, and so they live in a constant atmosphere of uncertainty. They suffer from doubt and discouragement, though they do have a few uplifting moments of faith in between; however, in temptation they are like a shuttlecock.

You have to make sure that you receive a guarantee for your inheritance, and you will receive it when you forsake everything so that you live only for your heavenly calling and pursue sanctification. Then you will be conscious of this work of the Spirit with you. You will receive this assurance of faith that will fill you with pure joy in all sorts of temptations, until the redemption of the purchased possession.