Signed, Sealed, & Delivered:

The Sealing of the Spirit & the Earnest of the Spirit

(Pastor Terry L. Reese, Valley GBC of Armagh; 4/3/22)

 

The Sealing of the Spirit is one of many grounds for the Believer’s confidence in our Eternal Security. References to this ministry of the Spirit are found within 2 Cor. 1:22, and Eph. 1:13-14, 4:30.

 

According to these Scriptures, God seals us and gives us the Spirit as a pledge (2 Cor. 1:22) when we believe (Eph. 1:13), and we remain sealed unto the Day of Redemption (Eph. 4:30).

 

In antiquity, physical seals were placed upon various items, signifying the concepts of ownership, authority, and security (Esth. 8:8, Matt. 27:66). In sealing us with His Spirit, God is stamping us with His mark of ownership; we are HIS property! The Spirit’s presence in our lives gives us this security (Rom. 8:9).

 

Our security is also made evident in the permanence of the seal: we are sealed “unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30), when we come to enjoy our eternal inheritance. Some have likened the concept to modern registered mail (i.e., sealed mail that can only be opened by either the Recipient, or, if returned, by the Sender). Here, God is the Sender, the Recipient, and the Seal. He alone can break the Seal—and He has pledged not to do so! This is demonstrated in the fact that this sealing is promised even unto those believers who may potentially grieve the Spirit (Eph. 4:30), such as the flock at Corinth (2 Cor. 1:22). The very thought of grieving Him, however, in light of His sealing ministry, should prompt us towards living in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

 

2 Cor. 1:22, 5:5, and Eph. 1:13-14 also inform us that the Spirit has been given as a pledge of our inheritance—as an “earnest.”

 

The Greek term arrhabōn is used in reference to “earnest-money,” which is given as a pledge, or down payment, that guarantees that the full amount will subsequently be paid. Likewise, the Spirit’s Presence in our lives functions like “earnest money,” in that God has bound and contracted Himself to complete the final “deal.” Because the token amount has been paid (i.e., the gift of the Spirit’s presence in our lives), it is thus guaranteed that the whole sum (i.e., the fullness of our redemption-experience) is ultimately forthcoming. The Spirit, therefore, is the pledge that our salvation will eventually be brought to full fruition and completion.