Devotional Tuesday: The Seal of the Holy Spirit
Power and assurance
The Seal of the Holy Spirit
Read Time: 3 Minutes
Scripture: Ephesians 1:13 (ESV) - "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."
Reflection:
Imagine living in Ephesus, a bustling city in what we now call Turkey, where people from all walks of life are coming to know Jesus.
Paul, writing to this diverse group, shares an incredible truth:
In Jesus, we are saved, and the Holy Spirit proves it.
Paul’s message is clear: redemption comes through Christ alone. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been following God your whole life or if you’re just starting to explore faith. Everyone is invited into God’s grand plan of redemption. This plan, which has been in place since the beginning of time, brings us together as one family through Jesus's amazing sacrifice.
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."
Take a moment and reflect on those words...
Jesus's death and resurrection don't just save us from hell; they save us from the everyday brokenness and messiness of our world. Hell (or heaven for that matter) was never the center of gospel message. Rather, the gospel focuses on the fact that Jesus can and will change the very fabric of your life—both now and in the age to come.
Through Jesus, we experience new life, filled with hope, right here and now.
But here’s a big question: How do we know we're truly saved? How can we be certain?
Paul gives us a beautiful answer: The Holy Spirit is the evidence of our salvation.
When we hear the gospel and believe in Jesus, something amazing happens. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Picture an envelope sealed with glue—once it’s sealed, it’s secure.
Better yet, picture a wax seal. People of importance would use wax seals with their own special stamp to seal a message to verify its delivery and authenticity…
The Holy Spirit is like that seal, marking us as God's own. It’s a visible sign that we belong to Him and assures us of his power.
The Holy Spirit isn’t just a mark of ownership; He’s a guarantee of our inheritance from God. He’s like a down payment, assuring us of the amazing restoration God has planned.
The same Spirit who hovered over the waters at creation now lives in us, hinting at the new world Jesus brought and is bringing.
How much space does the Holy Spirit have in your life?
Is He just a small part, or does He influence everything you do? Maybe you go to church occasionally or pray when things get tough, but God has more for you.
The Holy Spirit is the key to God’s incredible plan for your life, marking you as His and transforming every part of you.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit, who seals us in Christ and assures us of our salvation.
Help us to live each day fully aware of your presence, allowing your Spirit to guide and transform us.
May we experience the hope and renewal that come from being part of Your family.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.