There are many benefits to the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. One of the greatest benefits would have to include the seal of salvation. When we are baptized into Christ, and become a new creature in Christ, God performs a special service of adoption. No documentation is needed to verify our salvation, because God seals us with the blood of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
When this procedure takes place, between the Holy Spirit and a child of God, it is probably not felt or even acknowledged at first, but it gives us great hope once we realize its significance. Paul says that believers are “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” by the power of God (Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, II Corinthians 1:21-22, 5:5). This seal indicates God’s ownership, and a guarantee of the security of our salvation. We “officially” belong to God in that moment. He owns us! He will save us because of this seal!
The seal of God, through the Holy Spirit, is one that is well documented in Scripture. Isaiah speaks of it (Isaiah 42:1, 61:1) in the Old Testament. David also refers to it in Psalm 51 because he is fearful that God will remove seal from because of his sin. John, the beloved, also documents this fact (John 6:27, Revelation 7:3-4, 9:4, 14:1, 22:4) as does the apostle Peter (I Peter 1:5) in the New Testament.
There may be some Christians that are unsure of the seal of the Holy Spirit. What about them? Peter and Paul would encourage them to be baptized correctly (Acts 2:38-39, 19:1-7). Paul goes so far to say that “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (Romans 8:9). This is consistent with other teachings New Testament (John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19, II Timothy 1:14). Without God’s personal indwelling, an individual cannot claim adoption, salvation, or the true faith.
When we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit we also possess an intimate and personal relationship with God. He not only walks “with” us, but also “in” us. He guides us (John 16:12-15, Romans 8:14-26). He works alongside our conscience to help us remember God’s will, to teach us truth, give us assurance, assist us in prayer, relate to the Bible, counsel other Christians, and make wise decisions. All of these things we’ve noted in previous articles.
This also reminds us that the Holy Spirit directs our thoughts to focus on areas of ministry and bear fruit for God. This allows us to be more useful in the kingdom of God. However, before we cover that topic, we need to be reminded that God wants us to praise Him and interact with Him. He is our partner, pilot, and protector. He is a personal God who deals with us in a personal way… from the inside! He is drawing us toward Him through spiritual activity like prayer, Bible study, worship, and daily living. The more we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).
Praise God for the Spirit-filled Christians, who study a Spirit-filled Book, and live a Spirit-filled life. May God continue to bless us through His Holy Spirit! God is good!
You are loved.
Dr. Ray Reynolds
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