READING: Gal. 3:13-18
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise … – Eph. 1:13
Paul transitions from “we” to “you.” First, he writes in verse 12: “we who were the first to hope in Christ.” That is: “we who were in Christ before you.” But now you, after hearing the Gospel of your salvation, are also “in Christ” as believers.
So now it applies: if you believe in Christ as your Savior and accept His Gospel as divine truth, then you are “in Christ” and are incorporated into Him by true faith. And all the wonderful promises of grace and gifts that Paul mentioned in the previous verses apply to you as well.
Paul specifically mentions the greatest gift of Christ: His Holy Spirit, who was promised earlier (John 14:15ff) but has been poured out on the church since Pentecost. His Spirit is therefore the “Spirit of the promise” (Gal. 3:14). If you believe in Christ, you receive His Spirit who dwells in you and works in you, connecting you to Him.
Paul describes the presence of the Spirit as “sealing.” Being sealed with the Spirit means that He Himself is a seal. This involves three things: First, it is a mark that you are the property of Christ, which accompanies you throughout your life.
A seal is also a certification, a stamp of authenticity: you are a true child of God, a true disciple of Christ. The Holy Spirit assures you of this.
Thirdly, a seal is also a guarantee of preservation and safety. Nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ (Rom. 8:38-39)! How do you know that you have this seal of the Holy Spirit? You do not know it through a special experience, nor is it revealed much later after your conversion. No, as soon as you have true faith in Christ, the Spirit lets you know that you are God’s child (Rom. 8:15).
How can you know that you are sealed?
Singing: Hymn 36:3 (1984), 47:3 (2014)