Seal and Witness

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13–14; Romans 8:16; Hebrews 2:4

Have you ever seen the movie Toy Story? I love it when we see Andy’s name written on the bottom of Woody’s boot. Later in the movie, Andy gets Buzz Lightyear as a birthday gift and writes his name on the bottom of Buzz’s foot, too. Why does Andy do this? Because he claims these toys as his—he has marked these as his toys, his prized possessions.

This is a great picture exemplifying what it means that the Holy Spirit is our seal. Ephesians 1:13 (NIV) says, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” When we ask Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of our lives, the Holy Spirit literally comes to live inside of us. It’s then we’re filled with the Holy Spirit. This is how God marks us as His people, His children, His prized possessions. Isn’t that amazing? He loves us so much He marks and seals us as His own.

This seal is forever! No one and nothing can remove it from us.

The amazing thing about the Holy Spirit though is He doesn’t just seal us and call it a day. He actually proclaims His relationship with us. Romans 8:16 (NKJV) says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” He’s a witness of our salvation!

It’s not just an invisible mark or a quiet witness, as in Hebrews 2:4, we’re reminded, “God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” When He seals us and witnesses to us, He also gives us visible and tangible gifts, like the gift of healing. If you pray for someone and a miraculous healing occurs, that’s a visible reminder that the Holy Spirit is inside you. There are so many other gifts like this He gives us when we’re sealed by Him.

We never have to wonder if we’re truly God’s child because the Spirit reminds us that we are. We’re sealed and marked, and He witnesses to us that we’re His every single day.

Pray

Thank You, God, for sealing me with Your Holy Spirit and for constantly reminding me that I am Yours. Help me never forget this. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.