Ephesians 1:13-14
It was a dark night and I heard it, or rather them. Footsteps scurrying quickly through dry crunchy leaves. Then the unmistakable sound of claws grasping wood. With my senses heightened I heard the unmistakable growl and hiss of several raccoons having an animal argument in the trees behind my house. Now if I had not observed raccoons behaving like this on previous occasions I am sure I would have been frightened thinking that something out there was coming to get me. Thankfully that was not the case. Leading up to this event I had observed these raccoons and listened attentively in order to understand the truth about the critters that share my back yard. As we examine Ephesians 1:13-14 we see that the audience has previously listened to the gospel message of salvation. This listening led to an understanding of the truth it contained and ultimately belief in the message. The author, Paul, goes on to explain that they were then marked as believers in Jesus by the Holy Spirit’s presence in their life. Being marked with a seal shows authenticity and provides security. Paul is reminding the Ephesians of Christ’s work of salvation and their belief in it. This belief instantly leads to being authentically and securely marked by the Spirit of God as belonging to God. If we believe in Jesus, then we know that we have become His children and that we belong as heirs with a secure inheritance. That brings comfort to us as we wait until we are finally called home to heaven and the process of our redemption is finalized. Until that time, we can have the confidence that Spirit of God will keep us as children of God even when we may be frightened by things that we can’t see or understand in the dark of our life.
For more see Ephesians
It was a dark night and I heard it, or rather them. Footsteps scurrying quickly through dry crunchy leaves. Then the unmistakable sound of claws grasping wood. With my senses heightened I heard the unmistakable growl and hiss of several raccoons having an animal argument in the trees behind my house. Now if I had not observed raccoons behaving like this on previous occasions I am sure I would have been frightened thinking that something out there was coming to get me. Thankfully that was not the case. Leading up to this event I had observed these raccoons and listened attentively in order to understand the truth about the critters that share my back yard. As we examine Ephesians 1:13-14 we see that the audience has previously listened to the gospel message of salvation. This listening led to an understanding of the truth it contained and ultimately belief in the message. The author, Paul, goes on to explain that they were then marked as believers in Jesus by the Holy Spirit’s presence in their life. Being marked with a seal shows authenticity and provides security. Paul is reminding the Ephesians of Christ’s work of salvation and their belief in it. This belief instantly leads to being authentically and securely marked by the Spirit of God as belonging to God. If we believe in Jesus, then we know that we have become His children and that we belong as heirs with a secure inheritance. That brings comfort to us as we wait until we are finally called home to heaven and the process of our redemption is finalized. Until that time, we can have the confidence that Spirit of God will keep us as children of God even when we may be frightened by things that we can’t see or understand in the dark of our life.
For more see Ephesians
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