Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Today we're continuing to look at the ministry and work ofthe Holy Spirit as we are reading about Him in Ephesians 1:13-14. Jesuspromised in John 14 that He would give and send the Holy Spirit. John 14 beginswith Jesus assuring His disciples with these words and making several promisesto them: “Let not your heart be troubled…”. We live in a world full oftroubled and fearful hearts. Even believers today face tremendous fearconcerning so many different things in their lives, in their families, theirpersonal lives, and in a world today that is so confused, mixed up, and filledwith violence. But Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled. Youbelieve in God, believe also in Me."

Thenin verses 16-20, Jesus promises them: “And I will pray the Father, and Hewill give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--theSpirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Himnor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will bein you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. "Alittle while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me.Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I amin My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”  

Howwill He come to them? He will come in the person and ministry and work of theHoly Spirit. Paul would later write, “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.“At that day…”, is speaking of what happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2,when the Holy Spirit came down on them as promised. Today the baptism andindwelling for the Holy Spirit begins the moment we trust Christ as ourpersonal Savior. At that very moment, the Holy Spirit, according to Romans 6:3,“baptizes us into the body of Christ”. Also in 1 Corinthians 12:13 weread: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews orGreeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into oneSpirit.”

Ephesians1:13 also tell us that we are also sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Whatis the significance of this sealing of the Holy Spirit? For one thing, it speaksof a finished transaction. Even today, when important legaldocuments are processed, they are stamped with the official seal to signify thecompletion of the transaction.

Thissealing also implies ownership: God has put his seal on us because Hehas purchased us to be His own. Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you notknow that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom youhave from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price;therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”

Thissealing also means security and protection. The Roman seal on the tombof Jesus carried this meaning (Matt. 27:62-66). So, the believer belongs toGod, and is safe and protected because he is a part of a finished transaction. Andaccording to John 14:16-17, the Holy Spirit abides with the believer forever.It is possible for us to grieve the Spirit and thereby lose the blessings ofHis ministry (Eph. 4:30 ). But He doesn't leave us.

Anotheruse for the seal is as a mark of authenticity. Just as a signature on aletter attests to the genuineness of the document, so the presence of theSpirit proves the believer is genuine. "If any man have not the Spiritof Christ, he is none of His" (Romans. 8:9). It is not simply our lipprofession, our religious activity, or our good works, but the witness of theSpirit that makes our profession authentic.

ThankGod for the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives today. Indeed,what a rich blessing from God the Holy Spirit.

Godbless!