April 18th | You Are Sealed

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS

 YOU ARE SEALED 

Ephesians 1:13-14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory.” 

 (Today’s devotional verses) Think back to the last time you witnessed a baptism. Do you remember the pastor saying these words, “(name of the person being baptized is spoken here), receive the sign of the holy cross both upon your forehead and upon your heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.” (Baptismal Liturgy) “. . . When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” 

The purpose of the “seal” is to make something secure. Official seals are attached to legal documents to ensure their authenticity and the ability to enforce the wording of the document. They are, in effect, a guarantee to the one who bears the seal. In the case of your baptism and the making of the cross over your forehead and heart, it is the Holy Spirit applying a seal upon you that “guarantees” you are a redeemed child of God through the saving work of Jesus Christ. 

As Satan, the world and/or your sinful flesh attack you especially planting questions in your mind as to whether you are a Christian, worthy of God’s love and forgiveness, and an heir of your heavenly Father. Having this “seal” is vital for your assurance of the certainty that God has given you a saving faith in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you take out your baptismal certificate you will note a seal has been affixed to it to symbolically remind you that at your baptism the Holy Spirit worked faith in your heart in Jesus through whom you have your heavenly Fathers forgiveness and gift of everlasting life.   

The Holy Spirit affixes His seal that through His power you, through Jesus, have become an adopted child of God, His heir, and a member of His kingdom. 

Prayer: Thank You, Holy Spirit, for affixing Your seal upon my heart to assure me of the forgiveness of my sins and an eternal life in heaven for Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

Holy Spirit, light divine, Shine upon this heart of mine;  Chase the shades of night away, Turn the darkness into day. 

Let me see my Savior’s face, Let me all His beauties trace;  Show those glorious truths to me Which are only known to Thee. 

Holy Spirit, pow’r divine, Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;  In Thy mercy pity me, From sin’s bondage set me free. 

Holy Spirit, joy divine, Cheer this saddened heart of mine;  Yield a sacred, settled peace, Let it grow and still increase. 

Holy Spirit, all divine, Dwell within this heart of mine;  Cast down ev’ry idol throne, Reign supreme, and reign alone.

(LSB 496)