Sealed and Guaranteed – Ephesians 1:13,14

University College London has a fascinating study of the Assyrian king’s seal and its use throughout the empire: “The motif of the Assyrian royal stamp seal, showing the king fighting a lion, was known throughout the empire and was closely identified with the king himself. Whoever held a copy of this seal, usually in the shape of a golden signet ring (unqu), was acting as the king’s representative and on behalf of the king: his commands could not be refused.”

Paul uses the metaphor of the royal seal to describe the salvation blessing we have from the Holy Spirit.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14, ESV)

Paul is blessing/praising the Triune God for the spiritual blessings He has bestowed on us who believe. We have seen the Father’s blessing is choosing us to be in Christ as adopted children whom He is making holy. The Son’s blessing is accomplishing redemption for us to this position by the sacrifice of himself to pay for the guilt our sins. And now Paul mentions the blessing from the Holy Spirit.

When we heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and believed in him, the Holy Spirit “sealed” us. A seal was an emblem on the end of a small rod or ring which, when pressed into melted wax that sealed up a letter, showed who the sender was and also secured the contents of the letter. If the seal was broken you knew the contents were not confidential any more. The Holy Spirit came into our lives identifying us as belonging to the Triune God and He became the guarantee that we were protected and our inheritance in the kingdom was protected until we reached that destination.

The Holy Spirit is thus the down payment guaranteeing or salvation and the full payment coming in the kingdom. His presence marks us as belonging to God. He does this by giving us spiritual gifts or responsibilities that enable us to function as members of Christ’s body in unity. He does this by leading us into the truth of the gospel over and over. He does this by occasionally filling us with temporary power to proclaim the gospel. He does this by shaping our hearts to be like Jesus. He is the one who has come in Jesus’ place to be our Helper (John 14). We should get to know Him better. Holy Spirit, thank you for your work in us, in me. Help me to be compliant clay in your hands.

Discussion Questions

1. When do you feel the safest?
2. What safety do you get from the Holy Spirit sealing you?
3. How do you think the Holy Spirit feels about being the down payment for our full salvation inheritance?
4. How has the Holy Spirit demonstrated His ownership of you?  What manifestations of the Spirit have you witnessed in your life?
5. Do you feel like you have a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit? And if not, should you?
6. What could you do to develop a more personal relationship with the Holy Spirit?