I searched through the school’s mound of lost-and-found items, looking for anything that looked familiar.  Wow!  How many kids have the same lunchbox?  I almost grabbed one, but realized it was not marked with “KIFFE” in black permanent marker.  I was thankful we had marked the PE shirts, because there were so many and all identical.

Those black permanent markers are so handy, I now carry one in my purse.  It’s a lot easier than what people did before Sharpies!  Hundreds of years ago, individuals wore their own seal, typically as a ring or on a cord around their neck.  This seal was made out of something hard, such as stone or metal, and had a person’s name or portrait carved into it.  The seal was then pressed into a soft material such as clay or wax, leaving its mark: a sealing.  Seals were used for personal identification, witnessing documents, and labeling property.  A person’s seal was used to demonstrate ownership.  This stamping stated, “That’s mine.  It belongs to me.”

A person’s seal could also be given to another in order to carry out tasks on their behalf.  The most widely known biblical example of this is when Pharaoh gave Joseph his ring, so that Joseph might prepare the country for the upcoming famine (Genesis 41:41-44).  The Pharaoh was still Pharaoh, but Joseph had authority to act on Pharaoh’s behalf.

The Bible contains many references to seals, but perhaps the most interesting are those that mention the Holy Spirit: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:13-14, and 4:30.  We will look at all of these, beginning with Ephesians 4:30, working our way back through the list.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30

Let’s explore this verse using our newfound knowledge of ancient seals.  Let’s identify the sealing, the seal, and the owner.  Who is the sealing?  You!  The believer.  The verse states, “you were sealed.”  Today, we might say, “You were marked.”  Think of the movie Toy Story, where Andy writes his name on the foot of his toys.  It’s a mark the toys delight in.  It shows that they belong, not just to anyone, but to Andy.  However, this mark in Ephesians is even more special.  It’s not just a mark.  It’s an impression.  The believer is the soft wax or clay that becomes shaped by the seal.  And what is the seal?  In this case, WHO is the seal?  It is the Holy Spirit.  We have been sealed with or by the Holy Spirit.

Your form is no longer a glob, subject to any force around it.  You have been shaped, changed, by the Holy Spirit.  You have taken on the likeness, the name, of the owner.  Who is the owner?  God.  You, blessed one, have been marked by God.  He says, “This one is mine.”

You may be thinking, “But I thought this verse meant we were sealed, as in sealed airtight.  Impenetrable.”  I’ve heard that too, but that’s not the manner in which this word is used*.  There are several ways we can determine this.  The most powerful way is to look at other similar passages.  So, let’s take a look at Ephesians 1.

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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14

Here, as well, we see that the believer is marked and the Holy Spirit is the seal.  However, it goes on to explain that the Holy Spirit is also a deposit.  The Holy Spirit is a down-payment of what’s to come.  One day, we will not only have the presence of the Holy Spirit, but we will be in the presence of God Himself – completely and inseparably.

Inferred here is also a radical concept, which is stated more plainly in our last reference.

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22

The Holy Spirit, which is the seal, was put in our hearts.  God has given the believer His seal!  If you have been marked, God has also given you His seal.  We are to act on behalf of God, to be His ambassadors, the hands and feet of Christ on this earth.  This thought may be overwhelming to some, but do not let it freeze you in fear.  Remember, the seal that has been given to us is not a piece of stone, but a living being.  The Holy Spirit has been given to help, guide, and teach us.

You, dear one, have been marked as His.

Go forth, carrying His seal in the power and love of the Holy Spirit.

More Scriptures to consider this week:
2 Corinthians 5:20 (14-21) Ambassadors
1 John 4:17 (6-18)
2 Timothy 2:19 (14-19)
Genesis 41:33-44