“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)
In our post last week we looked at the dictionary definition for the word “seal” and found that it meant “to enclose and secure something, keeping it safe from theft, harm, or contamination.”
There is an additional meaning for the word “seal”. It means, “to stamp with a device having a raised emblem, in order to validate a signature, authenticate a document, or attest to ownership.
The first definition highlights our separation from the world system, and our protection from the enmity of our enemy.
The second definition refers to the Father’s unending, unchanging, unfaltering, unfailing, uncompromising love and commitment to us.
We’ve been sealed, stamped, and shipped, sent by Holy Spirit Himself, through God’s UPS (Unending Perfect Salvation) and delivered directly to the Father’s house!
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED! WE’RE HIS!
Grace gave me a really nice wall clock on our 12th Anniversary. It’s engraved with this message:
LOVED YOU THEN
LOVE YOU STILL
ALWAYS HAVE
ALWAYS WILL
That speaks to me of her love, but also causes me to reflect on God’s love, which can be described in exactly the same words.
Put simply, God is “head-over-heels” in love with us. Period. His love will never waver, and it will never wane, not even for a single moment of eternity.
There has been a debate in the church for centuries over the doctrine of “once saved, always saved”. I’m not really sure why. I guess we’d rather criticize, point fingers, and argue than to fulfill our commission to reach the world for Christ.
Anyway, it seems crystal clear to me. Salvation is God-initiated. It’s a gift of God’s grace, not the result of our effort. It’s secured by God’s power. It’s the fruit and the proof of His love and faithfulness. And it’s eternal.
The question is already settled in my heart. By the grace of God, I’m saved, and I will continue to be saved. I have no desire to be anything other than saved. But, having fallen away from the Lord for a time, I can understand the doubts, fears and misgivings of those who wonder whether they are still saved.
So I would like to offer some scriptures to help you regain and reestablish your faith in the Lord’s faithful love.
● “If we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)
He’s not in love with you one day and ready to give up on you the next!
● “He made everything in the sky that gives us light. Those things do not give us the same light all the time. They change, but God does not change.” (James 1:17, EASY)
The light of God’s love never goes out!
● “He is consistent. He won’t change His mind.” (James 1:17, The Voice)
● “God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” (Numbers 23:19, CEV)
● “God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it.”
(Numbers 23:19, God’s Word)
● “Your first creation will be changed, but you alone will endure, the God of all eternity! Generation after generation our descendants will live securely, for you are the one protecting us, keeping us for yourself.“
(Psalm 102:25-27, Passion Translation)
God is not only committed to you, but to your family also. He will faithfully protect and keep you and your loved ones close to His heart.
I pray that you will allow these scriptures to soak deeply into your heart so that you will have the “blessed assurance” and the absolute security that comes from knowing that you have been sealed by Holy Spirit, and that you belong to God forever!
³⁷ “But everyone my Father has given to me, they will come. And all who come to me, I will embrace, and will never turn them away. ³⁸ And I have come out of heaven not for my own desires, but for the satisfaction of my Father who sent me. ³⁹ My Father who sent me has determined that I will not lose even one of those he has given to me, and I will raise them up in the last day.” (John 6:37-39, Passion Translation)
³⁸ “So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that His love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken His love. ³⁹ There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!”
(Romans 8:38-39, Passion Translation)
“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” (Philippians 1:6, AMPC)
“Who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:5, Amplified Bible)
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God [which represents all that Jesus Christ is and does], so that you will know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you already have eternal life.”(1 John 5:13, Amplified Bible)
“He knows we are His since He has also stamped His seal of love over our hearts and has given us the Holy Spirit like an engagement ring is given to a bride – a down payment of the blessings to come!” (2 Corinthians 1:22, TPT)
Holy Spirit has forever sealed our destiny. We are betrothed to Jesus… His chosen ones… soon to be wed to our Beloved… His Bride… FOREVER!
************************************************
************************************************
Ours is a labor of love. We have never asked anyone to support this ministry financially. We don’t sell merchandise. We don’t host advertising. We don’t solicit donations. We have never received any income through this site.
Christ is, and will always be, our sufficiency, meeting all of our needs.
But we have humbly asked, and do ask again, that our readers would generously support our ministry Partners in the Philippines, Student Life Organization, Inc.
God has given Co-Founders Ian Rustia and Anne Ruiz a clear vision and an open door to reach many in their nation, and beyond, with the love of Christ. They powerfully demonstrate His love through outreaches
to the needy, the marginalized, and the often forgotten… children and young people with disabilities and special needs, and their families.
SLOI has only been incorporated as a non-profit ministry for slightly more than a year, yet they have already produced much fruit for the kingdom of God. Grace and I consider it a privilege to share in their work, and we earnestly ask that you would join us in supporting their ministry through your prayers and giving.
PLEASE DO THESE THREE THINGS:
1. Pray for the continued success of this ministry and that God would supply every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
2. Check out and subscribe to the SLOI website to learn more about their latest outreaches and ministry events. You may do this by clicking on this link:
NEWS FLASH! The SLOI Newsletter is now featured on our site! Just click on the button found on the homepage!
3. Please give generously to support this ministry. You may do so through the Paypal link to their newly opened ministry account:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/studentlifeinc2025
⁶ “Remember this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously, that blessings may come to someone will also reap generously and with blessings.
⁷ Let each one give as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver whose heart is in his giving.
⁸ And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
⁹ As it is written, he [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; he gives to the poor; his deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!”
(2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-9, AMPC)
Thank you! We pray that you will experience God’s richest blessings as you give freely and cheerfully in Jesus’ name!
Joe and Grace
Leave a Reply