SEAL OF GOD'S APPROVAL - PART 4

FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2022

The seal of God's approval which He bestowed on Christ shows us that this is the true God and points to His quality of being eternal (Eternality). This seal also places emphasis on the necessity of finding this very extraordinary life - only in the Son of God, as well as the supreme importance of receiving Christ as Lord in order to obtain eternal life. So this sealing is the signature of God's authorisation on eternal life as He bequeathed to Christ the right to distribute it.

Reference: John 6:27 New Living Translation (NLT) "But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval."

Jesus says, "For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval." What does this mean? It means that eternal life is a unique product (superior life) manufactured by a particular Deity, known as God (the Almighty) under a particular name, referred to as Christ. The sealing work of God's approval on Christ leaves a great impress of eternal life upon the human spirit. This is why the Christian grows to engage more in the acts of righteousness and holiness. It is also certain that in reality, as we begin to pay attention to the Word and meditate on it, we are seeking and digesting eternal life realities. No wonder John 5:39 (AMP) reads, "You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me."

When we seek eternal life in the Lord, we are confirming the grace that is in Christ Jesus and demonstrating it in our own lives. Moreover, something happens as we do so: It certifies and endorses us as the saints and also ensures our right and entitlement to spiritual blessings and heavenly glories. By our practical interest in the things of the Spirit, the blessings of grace and eternal life will usually find expression in our lives because of our delight and faith in the Person of Christ and His finished work on the cross. Then giving ourselves to the ministry of the Word will continually build our faith and confidence in God, thereby granting us the joy of satisfaction and salvation that can only be found in Christ Jesus.

In my closing remarks, carefully note this: the seal of God's approval given to Christ in relation to eternal life is not the same as the seal of the Holy Spirit. Paul says this about the Gentiles in Ephesians 1:13 - "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" (ESV). So this second seal is not identical with the seal of God's approval given to Christ. The second seal is the pledge of our security, because we are God's own. So it is God's mark of ownership of the saints. This is why within us, the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16 NASB). Without salvation and eternal life in Christ, there is nothing like being born again and there is no transformed life. Likewise, without the inward witness of the Holy Spirit, there is no proof of God's ownership, which is also the pledge of security on the born again Christian. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 42:1; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Corinthians 5:5.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I thank you for my salvation and faith in Christ Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith. Thank you for the inner workings of your Spirit and the overwhelming influence of eternal life in me. I acknowledge that my strength and ability are derived from the knowledge of your Word which is eternal. My comfort, success and joy flow from my faith in the Word which bears gracious fruits in my life. I'm grateful for being saved toward participating in the divine experiences, in Jesus' Name, Amen!