“Securely Sealed”
Eph 1:13-14
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-4
A. Paul blessed God for blessing us with every spiritual blessing 1:3-14
1. Specially Chosen 1:4
2. Purposefully Adopted 1:5-6
3. Freely Redeemed and Forgiven 1:7-8a
4. Spiritually Enlightened 1:8b-10
5. Surely Deemed God’s Inheritance 1:11-12
6. Securely Sealed 1:13-14
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel (good news) of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
The end game here is that God determined before the heavens and the earth were even created to redeem individuals out of a sea of rebellious creatures to become His dearly loved adopted children, productive citizens of His kingdom, intimate companions. This passage unveils the process by which that end game comes about. So far in this entire passage we have heard nothing of man’s part in this process. The Father and the Son have so far collaborated to bring this about on the basis of their love for us apart from personal effort. As we mentioned before, that is because we had none. We were helpless (impotent) and the situation hopeless (impossible). We were unable to qualify ourselves for heaven.
However, there was something we must do. Here Paul reveals man’s part in the process and finishes with the Holy Spirit’s roll as well. The “you also” inserted by Paul addresses another benefit or blessing.
The Recipients of sealing (Who gets sealed?)
By the use of the personal pronoun “you all”, Paul drives home the personal element.
“Even you Ephesians along with all those who put their faith in Jesus.” No one is too low, missing the right genetics, too insignificant to be called into God’s kingdom. Besides “being made an inheritance” by God, we were also “sealed” by the Holy Spirit. Both relate to becoming God’s special people blessed by reason of our connection with Jesus.
“In Him”
The main concept in this phrase or clause focuses on being sealed with the Holy Spirit.
It is something that God does to all who trust in Him. We know the who, now we need to explore the what, when, how, by whom and why.
The agent of sealing (Who does the sealing?)
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. 2Cor 1:21-22
God does the sealing work. It is something He provides for us in the Holy Spirit.
The Fact of Sealing (What is sealing?)
The seal was used in both Old and New Testament times. A seal was used to indicate the authenticity, ownership, permanence, authority, unchangeableness, or inviolability of something by placing a mark on it.
Signet containing a distinctive mark that represented the individual who owned it. The earliest seals found so far date before 3000 B.C. Seals varied in shapes and sizes. Some were round and were worn around the neck. Others were rings worn on the finger. The mark was made by stamping the seal into soft clay. Many cylinder seals have been found which contain scenes that communicate a message. These were rolled in the clay to form the impression. Tamar asked for Judah’s signet as collateral on a pledge he made (Gen. 38:18). Joseph was given pharaoh’s ring when he was placed in command of the country (Gen. 41:42), symbolizing Joseph’s right to act with the ruler’s authority. Jezebel used Ahab’s seal to sign letters asking that Naboth be tried and stoned to death (1 Kings 21:8).Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.
Sealing in the New Testament indicated:
Authentication (good housekeeping seal of approval)
Ownership (mark our stuff or territory, boundary markers)
Protection/Preservation/Security
Various symbols were used to call attention to the reality.
Rings, stamps, carved stone
Marriage covenants were sealed by exchange of rings indicating the commitment to fidelity.
Masters marked slaves with a brand or seal.
Matt 27 uses this word in the sealing of the tomb to indicate the interest of the government in the matter to protect its contents.
In John 6, God the Father set His seal (approval) on His Son Jesus Christ at His baptism.
Rom 15, Paul identified with the Christians in Jerusalem and expressed approval of their walk.
"I have put my seal on this fruit of theirs."
Paul wrote about God’s authenticating seal on His followers.
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 2 Timothy 2:19
Romans 4 refers to circumcision as a seal or authentication of the faith of Abraham.
I Cor 9:2 Paul expressed how the fruit of ministry among the Corinthians was a seal or authentication of his apostleship.
In this present verse, the seal is not some mark or symbol; it is none other than the Holy Spirit.
It is a person who does something for us. Paul identifies Him as the “Holy Spirit of promise.”
Every Christian is sealed with the Holy Spirit that was promised by Jesus.
Jesus said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:7-8
The presence of the Holy Spirit in our life is the guarantee of our inclusion in the family.
The Father chooses, adopts and enlightens us.
The Son redeems, forgives and inherits us.
The Spirit seals us.
Paul made it clear that without the sealing of the Holy Spirit you are not a Christian.
If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Romans 8:9
We have been signed, sealed and delivered. Here, Paul used a passive point action verb tense indicating an established fact in the past. "You were sealed" -- a statement of fact regarding what was done to you or for you.
The indwelling Holy Spirit is God’s mark of identification and ownership.
The Holy Spirit makes clear the relationship between the sealer and the sealed.
The Holy Spirit protects us and provides security.
The Holy Spirit preserves us until God’s predetermined purpose is accomplished.
Revelation prophesies that believers will be marked with a name only He knows.
The 144,000 will be sealed for their protection.
Paul employs the image of a seal and also appeals to the symbolism of a “down payment”.
Of all the wonderful things provided through the ministry of the Holy Spirit revealed in the Scripture it is still just a pledge of the full meal deal in the future.
A down payment is the promise of more to come. A down payment assures that we will finish paying what is promised. God gives us His Holy Spirit not only to secure us till redemption but as a taste of eternity.
The duration of the sealing (How long are we sealed?)
who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:14
The Holy Spirit is the one who assures the fulfillment of God’s determination. His work is done with a view to the ultimate redemption of the chosen.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6
The purpose of our sealing (Why did He seal us?)
“to the praise of His glory”
Again, we must keep a God-centered perspective.
The process by which we are sealed (How are we sealed?)
Paul finally talks about man’s side of the deal.
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13
This sealing took place “after” listening to and believing.
Hearing/listening
What did they hear? The “message of truth”! The “good news of your salvation”!
Salvation involves listening. You have to first hear the truth and then respond to it.
All those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks”? (Acts 19:10).
Paul wrote to the Romans about the importance of hearing.
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:14-17
Paul warned the young preacher Timothy about those who would not listen.
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:2-4
Jesus exposed those who really had no desire to hear the truth.
This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. John 3:19-21
You have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23
Hearing is not enough. They not only heard the word, they believed it.
Believing / faith
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13
These are both point in time participles.
You were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.
…having listened (at a point in time)
…having believed (at a point in time)
The Greek word for believe (pisteo) is translated by several English words; faith, trust, believe.
It is a word that encompasses a whole process. It goes beyond intellectual acknowledgment.
It goes beyond a basic knowledge of something. It includes personal application and response.
The Israelites heard but they were rejected because they did not believe.
Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. Romans 9:32
Genuine belief engages the whole person; intellect, emotions, will (action).
James focuses on the action part of faith. It is action based on belief. Genuine faith acts.
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? James 2:14-20
Paul told the Galatians how important listening/hear and faith are in regard to both our initial salvation and our continued maturity.
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Galatians 3:1-6
Abraham demonstrated the authenticity of that belief when God later asked him to sacrifice the promised miracle only child. He believed the promise that God would bless the world through Isaac. He realized that if he killed him, God would have to raise him to keep His promise.
Jesus emphasized the importance of hearing and active faith.
But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it." Luke 8:21
Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it. Luke 11:28
James pointedly addresses hearing and active faith.
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. James 1:21-25
Peter strongly encourages us to hear the word.
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation 1 Peter 2:1-2
APPLICATION
There are two levels of application from this passage.
One deals with our response to the truth.
Listen and believe the truth concerning our salvation through Jesus Christ.
But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." Romans 10:8-13
There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
The other level of application deals with the ministry of the Holy Spirit as a result of our response. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to provide direction and the strength to follow it. He represents the presence of Jesus in our life. Part of His ministry is to seal us.
Paul instructs us not to quench His activity by failing to follow Him.
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Paul also instructs not to grieve Him by our mistreatment of others.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:30-32
Our response to Him should be to listen and surrender
