Daily Bread – January 21, 2023 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) 2 Corinthians 1:22 – And He has sealed us and has given us the Spirit in our hearts which is His guarantee. The guarantee and proof of our salvation is the Holy Spirit that God has given to us (Romans 5:5, 8:9; Galatians 4:6). The Holy Spirit is not only our guarantee and our witness, but also the seal of God upon our lives (Romans 8:16). A seal serves as a legal protection and a guarantee of ownership; it certifies something as being genuine and official (John 3:33). Circumcision at one time was both a proof and a seal, but now that proof and seal is the Holy Spirit (Romans 4:11; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). The seal of the Holy Spirit both marks us and distinguishes us from all others. It is through this work of grace that we are protected and kept by the power of God until that day (1 Peter 1:5). The seal of the Holy Spirit is the guarantee we are God’s purchased possession! (1 Corinthians 6:20; Ephesians 1:14). God, Who has given us the first installment, or payment (Greek -arrabon), of the Spirit, demands that we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit. Once a person receives the covenant pledge, they are obligated to fulfill the responsibilities of the contract, and then full payment will be rendered. We have been born of God and given His Holy Spirit to walk in holiness (John 15:1-16; Romans 6:9-22). If we refuse to walk in the Spirit, then we are refusing to follow through on the commitment we made when we were given the first installment, or downpayment, from God (Romans 8:4,13-16; Galatians 5:16-18, 5:25; 2 Corinthians 3:3). God demands that we give ourselves to the fruits of the Spirit. He demands we make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:3-11). The foundation of God and the witness of the Spirit also have a seal: everyone who names the Name of Christ must depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19; Luke 13:27; Galatians 6:7-8; Matthew 7:20-29). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 1/21/2023
