"In Him (Christ) you also trusted,
after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in who also,
having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the
guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:13,14
The Apostle Paul spoke to the Ephesians, and he speaks to us
today, and taught them the gospel of Christ. How our redemption is through
Christ's shed blood, the forgiveness of sins, and this according to the riches
of Christ's grace. We are predestined according to the purpose of Him
(Christ) who works all things according to the counsel of HIS will (see verses
7-11).
Here, in verses thirteen and fourteen we see that we (believers
in Christ Jesus) are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (also see Acts
2:38,39), the guarantee of our inheritance; after hearing the gospel, believing
Christ is Lord (Jehovah - Yahweh) and trusting in Him, what He's done - for He
lived the perfect life we cannot live.
This is such a comfort to me for the Holy Spirit is the
Comforter, and speaks only the truth of the Father. It is His strength
that holds me up during confrontation (this doesn't mean my voice won't quiver
or my knees knock) and His discernment to change the channel from the filth of
the world and the lies of Satan. He convicts me and I come to the Father
confessing, seeking His forgiveness. He also lays on my heart sisters in
the Lord (sometimes brothers) to prayer for, write a note of encouragement to or
call to let them know they're being thought of. It is the Holy Spirit who
writes this encouragement through me for the edification of the church body -
exhorting us to live the life we're called to in Christ Jesus.
How wonderful it is to serve a God so loving, so faithful, who
sealed us with His promised Holy Spirit that we may have His strength to
accomplish His will, for it's not by might, not by power but by His
Spirit.
Have a joyous day in our
Lord!
April
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Website; Updated July 1999. Special thanks to our Webmaster,
John! Our God is Awesome!
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/1483/encourag.html
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