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, ...
—Ephesians 1:13 NIV
When we first came to Jesus, he poured out the Holy Spirit upon us, to live in us as God's gift, presence, and power within us (Acts 2:38-39; Titus 3:3-7). The Holy Spirit is also our proof that we are children of God (Romans 8:9). In today's verse, Paul adds another powerful image — a royal seal — to help us understand who we are because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. In New Testament times, a royal official would use a seal to confirm his or her correspondence. The message would be sealed with wax, and while the wax was still warm, the official used a ring to leave the royal imprint showing the message was true and carried the authority of the wearer of the ring. The Holy Spirit is God's authoritative sign that we are his! He claims us! We are not only his messengers, but also his message, and we are authentic and true.
Father, thank you for making me your child through the new birth and for giving me the seal of the Holy Spirit showing that I am yours. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—Ephesians 1:13 NIV
Key Thought
When we first came to Jesus, he poured out the Holy Spirit upon us, to live in us as God's gift, presence, and power within us (Acts 2:38-39; Titus 3:3-7). The Holy Spirit is also our proof that we are children of God (Romans 8:9). In today's verse, Paul adds another powerful image — a royal seal — to help us understand who we are because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. In New Testament times, a royal official would use a seal to confirm his or her correspondence. The message would be sealed with wax, and while the wax was still warm, the official used a ring to leave the royal imprint showing the message was true and carried the authority of the wearer of the ring. The Holy Spirit is God's authoritative sign that we are his! He claims us! We are not only his messengers, but also his message, and we are authentic and true.
Today's Prayer
Father, thank you for making me your child through the new birth and for giving me the seal of the Holy Spirit showing that I am yours. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Continue reading...
