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Living in the Spirit … Gives Me God's Seal of Ownership
In the Word
Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit … (Ephesians 1:13b).
Of the Word
When St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, they understood the seal of which he spoke. It was the official mark of identification placed on a letter, contract, or document. The seal signified security, authenticity, ownership, and authority.
Centuries later, American cattlemen branded their cattle to protect them from rustlers. They burned their own brands onto the sides of their cattle, and at roundup time they were easily able to identify their own animals.
Christians are marked with a seal at Baptism — the sign of the cross on the forehead and on the heart "to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified." (Lutheran Worship, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO, page 199)
We are marked, and we are His. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children (Romans 8:16). What a comfort it is to know that we are marked as His own dearly-loved children!
Walking with my Lord
Dear Lord, thank You for putting Your seal upon me. Help me to remember always that I belong to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 12/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
