Sealed with the Holy Spirit – Forever with God

Sealed with the Holy Spirit – Forever with God

by | Feb 22, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Forever Sealed: The Amazing Grace of God’s Eternal Salvation

 

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”

-Ephesians 1:13

 

As believers, we have received the gift of salvation by grace through faith in the gospel, which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). This is the word of truth that we have heard and trusted, and by faith, we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.

 

Being sealed with the Holy Spirit means that we have been marked and identified as God’s own possession (Ephesians 1:14). We have been set apart as holy and blameless before God, and we have the assurance of our salvation because the God the Holy Spirit indwells us, and is the guarantee of our redemption.

 

No matter what struggles or challenges we may face in this life, we can take comfort in the fact that we belong to God, and He is with us always. The Holy Spirit indwells us as a constant reminder of God’s love and faithfulness, and it is through His power that we can live a life that is pleasing to Him.

 

So, let us rejoice in the free gift of salvation, and let us give thanks for the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, seals us and guides us in our daily walk. Rejoice in this great salvation, secured for eternity, sealed with the Holy Spirit; He who has begun a good work in you will complete it.

 

You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). Rest in the assurance that your salvation is secure and continue to grow in your faith, knowing that you have been made a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). May we always trust in the word of truth and the promise of eternal life that we have received through faith alone in the gospel. Lastly, look at what the Lord Jesus said about believers; 

 

‘All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.’

John 6:37

Now is the Time for Salvation – The Power of the Gospel

Now is the Time for Salvation – The Power of the Gospel

by | Feb 21, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’

II Corinthians 6:2

 

In the midst of a world filled with chaos and trouble, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lost. However, as believers, we can find hope in the message of salvation. Despite the food shortages, rising costs of living, and violence around the world, the grace of God is being poured out on all mankind.

 

In 2 Corinthians 6:2, the apostle Paul reminds us that now is the day of salvation. This is the time for believers to step up and share the gospel in this dark and evil world. We are ambassadors for Christ, it is our chief duty as Christians to bear fruit unto God. The world is full of lost people, we all have friends, family co-workers who know nothing about the free gift of salvation. We, believers, know the truth because we have been saved by grace and we must share the good news at all costs. Now is the day of salvation.

 

A parallel verse from the Old Testament that supports this truth is found in Isaiah 55:6, which says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” Just as Paul urged the Corinthians to embrace the day of salvation, Isaiah also called on the nation of Israel to seek the Lord while He is near. The present moment is the only time we have, and it’s a gift from God. Let us use it to seek Him, to know Him, and to trust in His grace.

 

So let us not be discouraged by the chaos around us, but instead, turn to the Lord in faith and receive the amazing grace that He offers. Today is the day of salvation, and through Christ, we can find peace and hope in the midst of troubled times.

 

 

We “Are” the Children of God – Romans 8:15-18

We “Are” the Children of God – Romans 8:15-18

by | Feb 21, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Romans 8:15-18 in the KJV says, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

 

First things first, understanding the language makes this verse, or any verse more impactful

In Romans 8:15-18, the past tense participle is “have received” in the phrase “ye have received the Spirit of adoption.” This phrase emphasizes that as believers, we have already received the Spirit of adoption and become children of God, and nothing can take that away from us nor do we have to work to keep the Spirit of adoption. Because we believed the gospel. The theme of the passage is the assurance of our salvation and the hope we have in Christ, because of our inheritance even in the face of trials and suffering.

 

While I don’t claim to be an expert in language or grammar, this is a lesson that was imparted to me by wiser individuals, and it has significantly impacted my approach to studying the Bible.

 

Another example of why understanding language is crucial when reading a Bible verse.

In Romans 8:16, the phrase “we are the children of God” is in the present tense, but it also carries the sense of a completed action, which is sometimes referred to as the “perfect tense.” This means that our adoption as children of God is not only a present reality (the moment we believe the gospel) but a past event that has ongoing effects on our lives.

 

Romans 8:15 -18 

These verses remind us that as believers, we have not received a spirit of fear or bondage, but rather a spirit of adoption. Because we believed the gospel. We can confidently cry out to our Heavenly Father as His beloved children. Through the Holy Spirit, we have assurance (Ephesians 1:13; sealed with the Holy Spirit) that we are the children of God.

 

As His children, we are not only heirs of God, but we are also joint-heirs with Christ. Because we believed the gospel we identify with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5). We share in His inheritance, and all that belongs to Him belongs to us. This is a powerful truth that we can take comfort in, especially when we face difficult times.

 

The last verse is a powerful reminder that no matter what trials or suffering we may face in this present time, it is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in us. As we walk through the trials of this life, we can keep our focus on the hope of the future glory that awaits us. It’s real beloved, believe it, trust in the promises of God, that we will be with Him in heaven forever regardless of what happens to us here on earth. Praise God!

 

So take heart, my friends, and remember that you are a child of God, a joint-heir with Christ and that the glory that awaits us is far greater than any suffering we may face. Let us hold fast to this truth, and continue to press on in our journey of faith, knowing that we have a loving Father who is with us every step of the way.

 

 

The Prophetic Timeline of God is a Progressive Revelation

The Prophetic Timeline of God is a Progressive Revelation

by | Feb 21, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

The Bible is not just a book of stories; it is God’s plan of salvation for mankind

 

‘and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, ‘

II Peter 3:15

 

This plan was not revealed all at once but gradually, over time, through different people and periods of history. For the first 2,000 years of human history, God dealt directly with all of mankind, and there were no laws or instructions for worshiping God. Then, God chose Abraham to start a new race of people for himself, the Israelites, and for the next 2,000 years, under the Mosaic Law, God directly dealt with the Jews, except for a few Gentile exceptions.

Download our Bible Timeline here.

The Lord’s earthly ministry was a continuation of God’s dealings with Israel and was based on the Old Testament covenants and promises of the King and the kingdom. But the nation of Israel as a whole rejected Jesus as their Messiah, and they, along with the Romans, crucified the Prince of Life. Even after the Lord’s ascension and Peter’s powerful preaching in Acts 2 and 3, the nation as a whole continued to reject Jesus as their promised Messiah.

Next was the nation of Israel’s pinnacle of unbelief and rejection with the stoning of Stephen. So God called Saul, now known as the apostle Paul, as God’s chosen apostle for the Gentiles with a new message of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles apart from the Mosaic Law and Temple worship. God’s grace has been pouring out on all mankind for over 1,900 years, and the only way to salvation today is by grace through faith alone in the finished work of the cross, which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

To better understand God’s plan of salvation, the Bible timeline can help readers understand the time element of events and greatly aid in Bible study. The prophetic timeline of God includes all of the above and the rapture of the church, the seven years of Jacob’s Trouble, the Millennial Kingdom, the Battle of Armageddon, the Great White Throne Judgment, and eternity with God in a new heaven and earth. As we study the Bible and learn more about God’s plan for us, we can have faith and hope that He is in control and working all things together for our good.

 

If you take the time to study the full counsel of God, not just read to read, you will see that all of Scripture fits perfectly. By making distinctions between Israel and the body of Christ, Peter and Paul, the gospel of the kingdom, and the gospel of the grace of God, the Bible will open up like a fountain, and reading the Bible will be so enjoyable you will not want to put it down.

 

 

Divided Rightly or Mix it All Up – Like Most of Christendom

Divided Rightly or Mix it All Up – Like Most of Christendom

by | Feb 20, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Most of Christendom mixes all of Scripture together. They pick and choose verses to build a doctrine, and out comes a denomination. No way! The days of man-made theology are over. We, as individual members of the body of Christ, and as a whole, must make Bible study priority number one above all. We must diligently study every day, several times a day, especially with the unprecedented tsunami of false teaching running rampant in churches. We will be held accountable for how we used the Word, not for what our denomination or creed says. 

 

In a previous post, we discussed the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth, which is to cut straight the teachings of the Bible. It is crucial to identify what is written to us and what is for us, as not all Scripture is directed to Gentiles. The apostle Paul exhorts us in 2 Timothy 2:15 to “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

 

We can find further support for this admonition in Romans 15:4, which states, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” This tells us that the Old Testament is valuable for teaching and understanding, but it must be interpreted as building blocks to what is directed to us Gentiles today.

 

In 2 Timothy 3:16, we read that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Again this verse reinforces the importance of using the entire Bible to understand all of what is taught by God, but it also reminds us that we must use it correctly, with wisdom and discernment.

 

As we continue to study the Bible and seek to grow in our knowledge of God’s truth, let us remember the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth. Let us study the Bible with diligence, seeking to understand the context and meaning of each passage, so that we may be workmen approved by God.

 

Context, Context, Context

 

Most problems in interpreting Bible passages arise from neglecting a passage’s context. The guiding principle of sound interpretation is to take a passage literally. Not maintaining this discipline, interpreting Scripture becomes made up, man’s idea, fantasy, and the passage can mean almost anything. The result is erroneous and ridiculous interpretations.

 

Another important principle to sound Bible interpretation is to read Scripture “in time”. In other words, we have to read and study the Bible as a progressive revelation. Not getting ahead of God’s revelation.

 

God’s plan of redemption for mankind wasn’t revealed all at once to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, or any of the other old testament prophets. Not even Peter and the eleven were given the full counsel of God. The Lord revealed to each of the aforementioned what they needed at their particular time in Biblical history. A hermeneutical method that does not approach Scripture as a progressive revelation leads to erroneous interpretations.

 

To be a good bible student one must maintain a literal, grammatical, and historical (in-time) hermeneutic. There has been much too much of man’s theology governing Scripture when it is God’s Word alone that reigns over theology.

 

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