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

Posted on 01/20/2016 1:53:12 PM PST by 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)?


TOPICS: Catholic; Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: gty
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To: terycarl
Pay attention...you are pointing out things that He allows....I was pointing out something that He CAUSED, by His actions....different!!

Why should I pay attention to you when you are FOS? Prove to me by Scripture that you are not. You were speculating, but I related to you plain well-known facts. Including that your disturbances are disrupting the discussion centered on the assurance of the eternal life of the regenerated follower of the Messiah.

681 posted on 02/02/2016 9:08:09 PM PST by imardmd1 (Fiat Lux)
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To: MHGinTN

I’m amazed at the ignorance of some people that type replies as quick as the thoughts come into their minds.

The Bible is clear about all aspects of the flood, the opening of the firmament, where the waters came from, where they went and the transformation of the land masses of the earth.

It would erase the confusion of flood rain 40 days oh how can it be ??? etc.

If the Uncle Joe types would do in depth studies into those aspects of the Bible that explain all these things instead of reaching back to secular and religious history to prove one belief system is superior to another their lives would be enriched immensely.


682 posted on 02/02/2016 11:55:49 PM PST by Syncro (James 1:8- A double minded man is unstable in all his ways-- Holy Bible)
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To: terycarl

Your whole post #690 is completely out of line

Mind reading and nasty personal attacks, and also attacks on a Christian’s beliefs.

Jesus has a strong grip on those that have a personal relationship with him so stop trying to bring people out of Jesus (yes we are in Jesus and He is in us) to what ever it is that you believe.

Jesus says we belong to Him and not one can snatch them out of His hand.

So you should stop before Jesus stops you, that would be most unpleasant. And he will if you keep it up.


683 posted on 02/03/2016 12:06:50 AM PST by Syncro (James 1:8- A double minded man is unstable in all his ways-- Holy Bible)
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To: terycarl

So you missed the rest of that loving patient post to you concerning salvation and the love of God?

All you can do is reprimand with a “Pay attention”? and then more inane text?

You should count yourself blessed that God so loves you that He would have a simple poster at Free Republic show you how to break the chains of sin and death.

What a shame.


684 posted on 02/03/2016 12:19:21 AM PST by Syncro (James 1:8- A double minded man is unstable in all his ways-- Holy Bible)
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To: terycarl
A little, but He promised to never do it again.

I take no pleasure in the deaths of possibly 100 to 200 million people at the Flood.
On the other hand, 2nd Kings 19:35. God ordered His angel to kill 185,000 soldiers.
In Egypt, God sent His angel to kill the first born children, not to mention, all those who may have been killed by the other plagues.
When the children of Israel went into the Promised Land, God ordered the complete killing of every single, solitary man, woman and child in the land.
Can God order the deaths of millions, like in the Flood? Yes He can. I may not understand exactly what he is doing, but I have faith in Him, that He has His reasons.
Yes, He promised never to destroy the world by a flood. Next time, He will destroy it by fire.

685 posted on 02/03/2016 12:19:56 AM PST by Mark17 (Thank God I have Jesus, there's more wealth in my soul than acres of diamonds and mountains of gold)
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To: imardmd1
Why should I pay attention to you when you are FOS?

LOL. OK bro. I guess that sometimes you just have to jump up and jack slap someone, just to get their attention, and call a spade a spade.
Oh yes, being as this thread is about assurance. I have assurance of salvation. Some people may not like that. Oh well, such is life. I still have assurance.

:-)

686 posted on 02/03/2016 12:26:58 AM PST by Mark17 (Thank God I have Jesus, there's more wealth in my soul than acres of diamonds and mountains of gold)
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To: metmom

The thoughts of the people were only evil continually.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWpU8sX10_4


687 posted on 02/03/2016 3:36:31 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl
Whatever happens, your nonsense ideas concerning the end times sprang up in the 1830's...but of course, to a protestant, that's close enough....good grief, don't you see where your poor judgement is leading you???????



688 posted on 02/03/2016 3:39:24 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl
Whatever happens, your nonsense ideas concerning the end times sprang up in the 1830's...

Whatever happens, your nonsense ideas concerning the present abilities of Rome's Mary...

689 posted on 02/03/2016 3:40:22 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl
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.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OT08v8V3-o

690 posted on 02/03/2016 3:46:34 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl
Jesus is GOD and He cannot violate the "law"...

Then why do Catholics insist that HE did and does by commanding people to literally eat blood?

Don't eat the blood, the life is in the blood

Genesis 9:4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life , that is, its blood.

Leviticus 3:17 It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.”

Leviticus 7:26-27 Moreover, you shall eat no blood whatever, whether of fowl or of animal, in any of your dwelling places. Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people.”

Leviticus 17:10-14 If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.

Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.

Leviticus 19:26 You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes.

Deuteronomy 12:16 Only you shall not eat the blood ; you shall pour it out on the earth like water.

Deuteronomy 12:23 Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life , and you shall not eat the life with the flesh.

Deuteronomy 15:23 Only you shall not eat its blood; you shall pour it out on the ground like water.

Acts 15:12-29 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.'

Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues."

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter:

"The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."

Jesus also did state that what He was drinking was WINE - the "fruit of the vine" thus stating that it was NOT blood.

Matthew 26:29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Mark 14:25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

691 posted on 02/03/2016 3:48:57 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: terycarl
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.

Non-scientists: Know Your Limits!!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LS37SNYjg8w 

692 posted on 02/03/2016 3:49:15 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl
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?...

Asks the fella that does NOT question the ability of a wafer and wine to ACTUALLY turn into blood and flesh.

693 posted on 02/03/2016 3:50:31 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl
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?...

Asserts the fella that goes PFFFT! at global warming scenerios...

694 posted on 02/03/2016 3:51:32 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl

Do you consider God unjust for judging sin?

That’s part of what the Tribulation is all about.

All those people whom you imply God is unjustly killing, had an opportunity to accept God’s free gift of life in the person of Jesus. If they didn’t, that’s on them.

Do you consider God unjust to send people to hell as well?


695 posted on 02/03/2016 3:51:40 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: Mark17
Actually, the Navigators led me out of a cult.

HA!!!

If this WERE true; then you'd NOT be receiving the coveted reply number of the BEAST!!!!

696 posted on 02/03/2016 3:53:26 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl
Pay attention...you are pointing out things that He allows....I was pointing out something that He CAUSED, by His actions....different!!

Really?

Then Is God NOT responsible when He allows it?

Are you judging God and finding Him wanting?

Are you really finding fault for God doing with His creation what He has determined?

697 posted on 02/03/2016 3:54:26 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: terycarl

Since you clearly don’t believe in the account in Scripture, what else is in there that you don’t think is true?

Why would the Catholic church (allegedly) fill the Bible with untruths, and then claim they are true?


698 posted on 02/03/2016 3:55:51 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: terycarl
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.

Genesis 6:6
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.


I wonder if GOD has these kinds of thoughts now (if he reads FR; that is...)

699 posted on 02/03/2016 3:55:56 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl

You’re stuck in ASSUMING that Mt Everest was the highest mountain at that time.

Where’s your proof for an event that you don’t even seem to believe really happened?


700 posted on 02/03/2016 3:57:06 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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