“… and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
– 2 Corinthians 1:22
Main Thought: Many consumer-based companies in our day speak of their guarantees as an inducement for consumers to buy their products. These guarantees, however, always have end dates and loopholes that make it difficult for people to get their money back or their product serviced. Here the apostle Paul tells us of a guarantee by God, one with no loopholes and one with no limits with time. Paul reminds these Corinthian believers first that God has “put his seal on us” as His children. While we may not quite understand what a seal has to do with God’s promise of salvation, the believers of that day did. Kings and queens, when making a proclamation of law or an edict, would seal the document with wax, and then press their ring with their royal crest upon the wax seal, which indicated the ruler’s authority. In the same way, Paul is saying that God has declared our salvation in Jesus Christ and has set His seal of authority upon us.
Rulers in that day would come and go, so their authority might have been overthrown and the ruling reversed, but not so for the child of God for he has been sealed by the One whose rule and authority are omnipotent and everlasting. In 1 Timothy 1:17, it is declared that our God is “The King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God…forever and ever.” His seal and dominion are eternal. Not only has God put His seal of authority on us as the guarantee of our salvation, but He has given us the Holy Spirit within us as a guarantee. We have the written guarantee of His seal upon us in His Word, and we have the living presence of the Holy Spirit to continually assure us that our salvation is guaranteed for eternity. Romans 8:14-17 reminds us that the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God, and causes us to cry out to God, and “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” If you have a continual yearning in your spirit for God and know God’s presence in your life, then that is God’s living assurance and guarantee to us that we are His eternally. How wonderful and gracious our God is to give us both a written guarantee of His salvation, and give us the living presence of the Holy Spirit to assure us of our salvation. May we rejoice today as His children in the guarantee of our salvation.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Isaiah 41:17-18
“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” – Isaiah 41:17-18
Psalm 29:2
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.” – Psalm 29:2
Hebrews 10:14
“For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” – Hebrews 10:14
Isaiah 25:8-9
“He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of the people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” – Isaiah 25:8-9
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Romans 16:20a
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” – Romans 16:20a
Psalm 30:4-5
“Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” – Psalm 30:4-5
Psalm 4:7
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” – Psalm 4:7
Mark 15:37-38
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” – Mark 15:37-38
1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 1:13