“It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—SIGNED, SEALED, and DELIVERED by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13, The Message)
Reading that verse flipped a switch in my brain that took me back to the summer of 1970 when everybody was singing… yeah, you guessed it… “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours!” by Stevie Wonder.
This great Motown hit sold over 2,000,000 singles and spent six weeks at number one on the U.S. R & B chart, peaking at number three on the U.S. Pop chart.
Four different times throughout the song, Wonder sings “You got my future in your hands.” That’s exactly the way we, as believers should respond to the Lord because of the truth in Ephesians 1:13.
We are His… signed, sealed, and delivered! He’s got our future. He’s got us covered today. And He’s even got a lid on our past!
Could it be that Wonder was influenced by Holy Spirit as he wrote those words?
Hmm… I wonder! Let’s see!
[* Did you see what I did there?]
SIGNED: PURCHASED AS HIS OWN!
When we think of the word “signed” we think of a signature, and signatures speak of ownership.
Let’s say I go to the car dealership in my
hometown, and make a deal on that cream-colored top-of-the-line 2026 Lincoln Navigator I’ve been wanting. And since this is such a sweet dream let’s imagine that I’m paying cash for it (don’t wake me up!). I’m going to have to sign some documents which legally transfer ownership of that vehicle from the dealer to me.
Buying a house? Gotta sign the documents.
Cashing a check? Sign it, even though your name is on the front of it.
Yes! God ratified (or signed) the necessary document that gave Him complete ownership of our lives, and also freely gave us access to all that He is, and all that He has.
BOUGHT WITH HIS BLOOD!
That document is known as the New Covenant, or the New Testament, and it was ratified (or signed) with the blood of Jesus!
“You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own].”
(1 Corinthians 6:20, Amplified Bible)
“Have you forgotten that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you, and that you are not the owner of your own body? You have been bought, and at what a price! Therefore bring glory to God both in your body and your spirit, for they both belong to him.”
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Phillips)
SPECIAL VESSELS OF GOD’S GLORY
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, AMPC))
If you or I intend to sell something, the first thing we often do is to clean it up, or put a fresh coat of paint on it, to make it as appealing as we can to the potential buyer, and hopefully to get the best possible price.
But, Abba-Father saw us through His eyes of faith as supremely precious, valuable, and worthy of the life of His Son. And He saw us that way even in our hopelessly broken, delapidated, and worthless condition.
“But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!” (Romans 5:8, TPT)
Abba-Father didn’t demand that we get cleaned up or fixed up, before accepting us. He didn’t haggle on the price. He didn’t try to get a discount. He graciously and generously signed on the dotted line, paid the highest price, and made the ultimate sacrifice, all the while inviting us to come to Him, just as we were, filthy and full of sin.
COME, JUST AS YOU ARE!
Over the years many of us have sung this treasured hymn without really taking the time to reflect on the meaning of the lyrics:
“Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O, Lamb of God, I come, I come.”
Now I know what I didn’t know then. He has loved me with an everlasting love, and nothing I can do will change His love for me! I will forever be His, and He is forever mine! He is my Abba-Father! I am His son! We are Covenant Family!
What a price the Father paid for us! Through the blood of Jesus and His redemptive work, we have been made partners with God in the New Covenant.
OUR COVENANT IN CHRIST
There is too little teaching in the Church today on covenant. The covenant is not just a historical or legal agreement, but it is a living, active bond between God and His people.
Covenants are an unbreakable agreement,
a sacred alliance between two parties. Each party is committed to “give all”, resources, time, and support to the other. In the New Covenant the Father received us as His own people. And, in exchange, He gave us an inheritance, full access to all His blessings.
Someone with time to count has said that there are 7,487 covenant-based promises in the Bible.
● Every one of them are blood-purchased.
● Every one of them are blood-guaranteed.
● Every one of them are available by faith.
● Every single one of them is activated by prayer, obedience, and the confession of God’s Word.
They cover every area of life – abundance, health, peace, and wholeness.
“Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because He sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate Him with all our hearts!”
(Ephesians 1:3, Passion Translation)
Oh, Jesus!
Signed, Sealed, Delivered!
I’m Yours!
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My wife, Grace, and I are very proud to be in partnership with Student Life Organization, Inc. We believe in the great work they are doing in Cebu City, and throughout the central part of the Philippines.
SLOI provides educational opportunities to
many physically disabled and financially disadvantaged children, helping them reach their God-given potential.
Your generous giving will help Founders Anne Ruiz, Ian Rustia and their team, as they faithfully declare and demonstrate God’s love to these children and their families.
“I mention this not because I’m requesting a gift, but so that the fruit of your generosity may bring you an abundant reward.”
(Philippians 4:17, TPT)
Would you please give today? If so, please use this link: paypal.me/anaferuiz
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