The Seal Is The Sign | 03.03.2014

Make no mistake about it... It is by the Holy Spirit that we are sealed unto the day of redemption (according to Ephesians 4:30).  His presence within us, as the redeemed of Christ, is our assurance that we will be caught up at the Savior's return.  Although, at times, we face situations and circumstances in our lives that will cause us to not "feel like" we're saved, our feelings do not determine the intrinsic truth of our realities.  How we feel (at any given moment) is merely an emotional interpretation of that particular "life moment".  When we talk about being sealed unto the day of redemption, we must understand that this refers to the perpetual (or unending) assurance of the believer.

When the righteousness of GOD is imputed (or placed upon us), it has nothing to do with our feelings; but it instead has all to do with what we've chosen to believe.  The seal that GOD places upon us is there, even though we may not initially feel like it.  In Romans 4:8-12, we see that Abraham's faith (according to Rom. 4:9) was responsible for making him righteous.  GOD made righteousness available to Abraham but his faith was the only currency by which the exchange could be made.  So Paul then asks (in Romans 4:10) if the exchange either occurred in circumcision or uncircumsion?  In other words, was Abraham put in right standing with GOD before or after it became clearly visible to the human eye that he was indeed righteous?  The answer: BEFORE.

But notice...  Even though the invisible mark of righteousness was immediately received by faith, it did not erase the need for the physical mark.  Romans 4:11 says, "AND he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised..."  Abraham received both, not one or the other.  Please get this: the inward transformation MUST be manifested outwardly, and the physical transformation of one's lifestyle means NOTHING without a spiritual makeover.  It is the inward assurance of the believer's salvation that makes the outward transformation possible.  As we allow GOD's Spirit to work both in an through us, the seal then becomes more apparent to the human eye.  This most amazing, heavenly work is accomplished as the Word of GOD simultaneously transforms our way of thinking while the Holy Spirit changes our lives.  Therefore, as we continue on our journey of sanctification, we indeed experience the circumcision (or cutting away) of the old man to reveal that which was initially invisible but there from the very beginning, the very moment we experienced the new birth.

Let's pray: Father in Heaven, I thank You for the assurance You have given us that we have indeed been redeemed from the grip of sin by our faith in You and the plan of redemption You sent Your Son Jesus to fulfill on our behalf.  I'm ever so grateful that You have given us Your Holy Spirit to comfort us, especially when we may not feel like we are redeemed.  Cause us, O GOD, to remain steadfast in our journey.  Help us to embrace the painful process of circumcision.  Let Your glory, Father, be revealed in us so we might be the salt of the Earth.  May our savor never be lost, but let Your power that's working in and through us change the very atmosphere of our surroundings with the same intensity and immediacy of fire.  We bless You, Almighty King, and forever pledge our allegiance to Your Kingdom in Jesus' name.  AMEN.