Rejoicing in Assurance

Grace to You.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

"You were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance" (Eph. 1:13-14).

The Holy Spirit is God's first installment on your eternal inheritance.

The Holy Spirit's ministry in your life is multifaceted and profound. Among other things He brings salvation, conviction, guidance, and strength. He indwells and equips you for spiritual service and gives assurance of your salvation. He is your Helper and Advocate. He is the Spirit of promise, who seals you until the day when your redemption is fully realized (Eph. 4:30).

Sealing speaks of security, authenticity, ownership, and authority. Ancient kings, princes, and nobles placed their official seal on documents or other items to guarantee their inviolability. To break the seal was to incur the wrath of the sovereign whom it represented (cf. Dan. 6:17; Matt. 27:62-66).

A seal on a letter authenticated it as from the hand of the one whose seal it bore. Legal documents such as property deeds and wills were often finalized with an official seal. Those who possessed the sealed decree of a king had the king's delegated authority to act on that decree.

Each of those aspects of sealing is a picture of the Spirit's ministry. He is God's guarantee that your salvation is inviolable and that you are an authentic member of His kingdom and family. You are His possession-having been purchased with His Son's precious blood (1 Cor. 6:20). You are His ambassador with delegated authority to proclaim His message to a lost world (2 Cor. 5:20).

The Spirit is the pledge of your eternal inheritance (Eph. 1:14). The Greek word translated "pledge" in that verse (arrabon) was used of down payment or earnest money given to secure a purchase. Rejoice in the assurance that God, who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), has given you His Spirit as a guarantee that He will keep His promises.

Suggestions for Prayer

Praise God for the security of your eternal inheritance. Praise the Spirit for His many ministries in your life. Be sensitive to His leading today so that your ministry to others will be powerful and consistent with His will.

For Further Study

Read Esther chapters 3, 8. What role did the king's signet ring play in the decree of Haman (chapter 3)? The decree of Ahasuerus and Mordecai (chapter 8)?

[terycarl]

By the way, you conveniently ignored my question. My opinion is, you do lots of that. Paraphrasing it, it appears you said, I was right to hate the Christians (Navigators) If that is not what you meant, say so. If that IS what you meant, do you harbor any ill will toward them, the way I used to? Inquiring minds want to know.

If they are still in the business of leading saved Christians away from the true church of Christ, then YES, they are to be abhored.

[terycarl]

Your skill is improving with practice.

at what??

[MHGinTN]

The really sad aspect of your post is that you haven’t a clue how spiritually dead your assertion is.

[terycarl]

Now that I am an ex Catholic, I know it was a world wide event.

If the entire planet was covered by water(40 days and nights wouldn't have done it) to the height of Mount Everest....where did all that water go?...29,029 feet of water is a lot of water.....that's 6 miles deep.....EVERYWHERE.

[MHGinTN]

Pitiful! What is the average height of land above sea level if all land masses are used to make the calculation? How much water is in the worldwide aquifers? How much water is now held as ice on this planet? ... I've heard that some people get really senile as they age. But I didn't think I would ever experience one, even at my age!

BTW, any other things in The Bible that Catholics are taught is not true?

[Mark17]

If they are still in the business of leading saved Christians away from the true church of Christ, then YES, they are to be abhored.

Well, I thank you for your honesty. At least you admit it.
Naturally, I do not agree with you. Big surprise there, huh?

Actually, the Navigators led me out of a cult. I won't say which cult, but at least I have assurance of salvation. Try it, you'll like it.

[terycarl]

Or He could let some Mohammedans take over commercial flights and ram them into public buildings, or government structures, or just into the ground, and cause thousands of deaths.

Pay attention...you are pointing out things that He allows....I was pointing out something that He CAUSED, by His actions....different!!

[Mark17]

BTW, any other things in The Bible that Catholics are taught is not true?

Couldn't you fill volumes with that kind of stuff?

[terycarl]

No one was innocent then. The thoughts of the people were only evil continually. There was no good left.

Noah and his family were the only righteous people on the planet......the bush people in the jungle, the nomads in the desert areas....the semi-neanderthal people in Siberia or wherever....O.K.

[terycarl]

The really sad aspect of your post is that you haven’t a clue how spiritually dead your assertion is.

What's wrong with it??

[Mark17]

Pay attention...you are pointing out things that He allows....I was pointing out something that He CAUSED, by His actions....different!!

Pay attention...the Flood, that covered the world, REALLY deeply. He killed off potentially hundreds of millions, though we don't know how many.
Do you have a problem with that?

[terycarl]

Pitiful! What is the average height of land above sea level if all land masses are used to make the calculation? How much water is in the worldwide aquifers? How much water is now held as ice on this planet? ... I've heard that some people get really senile as they age. But I didn't think I would ever experience one, even at my age! BTW, any other things in The Bible that Catholics are taught is not true?

Whatever the measurements are is irrelevant....if you cover this planet with water 6 miles deep, there is NOWHERE for it to go....if it evaporated, there would be an eternal cloud cover......just think about it for 10 seconds before you spout off.

[terycarl]

but at least I have assurance of salvation. Try it, you'll like it.

who assured it, the Navigators....sigh.....by the way, your post number is 666.....whatever..

[Mark17]

Now, if you will excuse me, I have some Catholics to go speak to. They want to hear the truth. I am happy to tell them the truth. It maybe the first time in their lives they have ever heard the truth.
I went them to have assurance of salvation too. Try it, you'll like it. Committing the sin of presumption is OK.

[MHGinTN]

Jesus would not violate the law He came to fulfill.

[terycarl]

Pay attention...the Flood, that covered the world, REALLY deeply. He killed off potentially hundreds of millions, though we don't know how many. Do you have a problem with that?

A little, but He promised to never do it again.

[MHGinTN]

Um, did God cause the Noah flood?

[Mark17]

Yes, the Navs are great Christians. I will be back later, after I tell these people the truth. They want to hear it.

[MHGinTN]

LOL, you told me to think before posting! Bwahahaha, now that there is funny coming from the Joe Biden of Freerepublic!

[terycarl]

Yes, the Navs are great Christians. I will be back later, after I tell these people the truth. They want to hear it.

You had the truth, but couldn't or wouldn't accept it...that's more than a little bit sad. To decide that you, or anyone else can, on your own decide the truths of Christianity is arrogance which can only lead to disaster....please stop dragging others down with you.