Contributor: Annie
Scriptures: Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:1-10; 3:8-12, 14-19 Galatians 2:20 Romans 8:35-39
There was a time centuries ago when the fastest mode of transport was a swift horse and the only way to communicate long distance was by hand written letters. A courier would put the precious document in a satchel slung across his shoulder and he would ride as fast as his horse would go to deliver it. But, when he arrived at his destination, what proof was there that this was a genuine communication from the King, that it wasn’t a forgery?
Before the document was given to the courier, the King would have rolled or folded it, tied it with cord, dripped hot wax onto the joining edge and pressed his unique signet ring into it. That unbroken seal was the proof of the identity of the sender, this was the authentication that the document was genuine.
What has this got to do with us today? In Ephesians 1:13-14, we learn we are sealed, with a seal that can never be broken, the evidence, the authentication, of Whose we are and that the Life that we carry within us has not and never can be tampered with.
This seal is the proof of our identity, our assurance, the guarantee of our inheritance, our right to be called a child of the Most High God. An invisible seal – to us, but not to the principalities and powers in heavenly places. This seal is as visible and tangible to them as the wax with the imprint of the King’s ring. This is why these powers will do whatever they can, using the only weapons they have, to make us believe that this seal does not exist, or that it is a forgery.
Ephesians chapter 2 outlines the weapons that these principalities and powers use: doubt, condemnation guilt, shame and dragging up memories from our past. As Paul says, we have all walked in disobedience. The spirit of the prince of the power of the air led us down paths that seemed so innocent. He tries to convince us that our faith is not big enough or strong enough to believe that we are saved solely by God’s grace. He sees that seal upon our lives, he knows it is intact, unbroken and from God Himself.
This Life within us has been sealed with Holy Spirit of promise. Everything comes from God, of ourselves we do not have the strength to combat the weapons of the prince of the powers of the air.
They can see this Seal of Holy Spirit upon us but they do not understand it. These powers have no concept of the mystery or secret that God has revealed to His children through the coming, the life, the death and the resurrection of the Son He sent to redeem us. The Love that fills us and gives us hope, assurance and strength for each day dwells within us, sealed and protected.
Unless we are rooted and grounded in this Love, we will never be able to truly understand our identity within the Love of Christ which passes all of man’s knowledge. The promise of Holy Spirit, the Seal that is so obvious to all the powers that would want to destroy us, is a reality that we need to grasp with every atom of our being. We are sealed, protected and forever wrapped within this Love, despite what the enemy throws at us.
Prayer: Thank you Father God that as we enter this new decade, You will give us Your 2020 vision so that we know beyond all doubt that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, our identity is sealed in You, we are forever Yours and Yours alone. We pray this in the Name of Christ our Lord and Saviour, Amen.