OUR FATHER WHO SEALS US IN THE HOLY SPIRIT 

The book of Ephesians chapter 1 verses 7 - 14 continues with the exposition by the apostle Paul of the condition and status of those who believe in Jesus. 

Having explained that these things were not put in place as an improvisation to solve the problem of the fall of man but rather as the foundational raison d'être for the design and unfurling of creation, Paul gives us a listing of the privileges that are accrued towards those who believe in Jesus.

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

13 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, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

The believers in Jesus who trust in the word of truth are lifted above their original fallen estate and find themselves in Him with these entitlements;

• They are redeemed through the shed blood of Jesus
• Their sins are forgiven 
• They are given knowlege of the otherwise classified sovereign will of God
• They are gathered into the one family of God
• They obtain an inheritance related to the purpose pre-assigned to them
• They are sealed with the Holy Spirit who reserves them as a down-payment
• They are guaranteed to be finally acquired in a glorious redemption to God.

Amen.

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