March 8 – Ephesians 4:17-32

March 8 – Ephesians 4:17-32

Lesson: He Seals

Dear Lord, bless our time with you today.  Meet us where we are at, guide our minds, and hold our hearts as we search for Your truth.

First, do your own quiet time with God and 4R journaling.  When you are complete, come back here for the lesson.

Request Gods’ help

Read Ephesians 4:17-32

Record a verse that stands out to you

Respond to God

When I think of a seal I think of chain of custody.  One of my many mini jobs in the military was to seal envelopes that contain… sealable documents.  Anyhow, once sealed, I was to sign my name along the edge of the fold and date it, so that the top half my name was on the folded bit, and bottom half was on the envelope itself.  That way, if it was opened in any way, no matter how carefully or discreetly, it would be evident that the seal was broken and the content compromised.  That seal was me telling everyone else that encountered it that it was me who had verified its contents and me who sealed it.  And me they would have to answer to if it were broken… and also me that would have to stand in answer and defense.  If that seal was broken there could be huge implications, ramifications, and loss of integrity.  Not much good would come of it for sure!

Historically seals were used as proclaiming ownership and protection, whether it was on an envelope or on trees growing in the colonies.  When someone sees a seal, they instantly know what it means.  Did you know that God seals those who are His?  Yes!  If you are a follower of Jesus He has impressed His seal on you; a seal of confirmation.  And who exactly is that seal?  You guessed it, the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13, “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.” 

So, it’s not just all willy nilly like, it’s for those who claim Jesus as theirs and He them.  Wow!!!  That seal is stronger than any king’s seal could ever hope to be!  It’s unbreakable, unchallengeable, and full of protection. But not just that, but also that we are sealed for redemption!  When we arrive on heaven’s gate step, this seal shows ownership and inheritance. Wow! Just wow!  And because it deserves so many exclamation points here are some more… !!!!!!!!!

Is that it, is that where it stops, just a seal and then done? Oh, noooo…. No, there is much to do with His seal upon our hearts!  Our life sealed with the Spirit should be one of kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiveness, and treating others as God treats us.  There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind when they encounter us that we are His.  Our lives should reflect that ownership in every way because we are marked as separate and set apart.  And we would do well to never forget that bit!

I remember back when I married Tony, he sealed me outwardly with a ring.  There was security in that action, to show that I am his and he is mine.  The intent of his seal is to never be broken.  And when I was growing up, Dad used to always remind us, ‘remember whose name you carry!’.  My dad sealed me with his name.  But more than that he led me to Jesus, the One who sealed me with His name!  And that’s the name I carry: Jesus!!!!!  The only seal that can’t be and won’t be broken until the time and place of God’s choosing, when I am at last face to face with Him.

God’s seal of security, promise, and ownership should be one of great comfort, not a burden.  The load made lighter, the walk not lonely.  May the seal on your heart be one of great joy and expectation of what is to come.  For He has laid claim, no other can steal what is His.  No thief in the night, no slithering snake, nothing can keep you from Him.  Nothing.

The High King has sealed you. The ransom has been paid, the down payment given, the promise made and you, dear one, are most precious in the Sealer’s eyes.

Dear Heavenly Father,  we praise You for You are the King with a seal. And we thank You that You have laid claim on us!

(Further reading: Ephesians 4:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; John 6:27;  Daniel 6:17)

What’s next?

As the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, share what He has laid on your heart.

Then join us again tomorrow to learn about the ministry of guarantees.