Paul wanted the Ephesians to know all that God had given them in Jesus. Look for the phrase “in him” or “in Christ” to see the wonderful things God has given us through faith in Jesus.
Read Ephesians 1:13-14
The next thing given to us “in him” is the sealing of the Holy Spirit. When the Ephesians heard the truth of the gospel (Jesus died for our sins and rose again) and believed it, they were sealed with the Holy Spirit. A seal is a mark that shows that something is genuine. Uncle Mike had a set of seals in his room when we were boys. He would drip candle wax onto a piece of paper and then press the metal seal against the warm wax to show the paper was his. This is what God has done for believers. But instead of putting a wax mark on our foreheads, he has given us the Holy Spirit as soon as we believe. Having the Holy Spirit living within you is God’s way of showing that you are his possession. We should praise God for choosing us to be his own.
- What is the next thing given to believers “in him”?
- When does a believer receive the Holy Spirit?
- What is a seal?
- What does God’s seal say about us?
- Why should we praise God for giving us his Holy Spirit?
