By Jesus' stripes our contracts with God are signed, by the Holy Spirit we are sealed, and by God's grace we are delivered.
For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Many people who have survived addiction, trauma, and abuse must deal with the purging process of cutting soul ties, breaking trauma bonds, and dealing with issues of undorgiveness. It's not an easy or pain-free process but one that is needed in fully overcoming one's past and moving into the future that God has planned.
Who also hath made us able ministers of the New testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. - 2 Corinthians 3:6
I received this scripture after I began the purging process myself, clear instruction to begin preaching the way of Christ over religious law. And by obeying this guidance, I received wisdom and understanding that I'd not had before.
Today, I was given a message about being under God's seal and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:12-27
This entire passage is nothing but promises made by Jesus. Nothing in this passage is a metaphor, parable, or story. This text is Jesus straight forwardly talking to the disciples.
And in the first 17 verses of Acts 2, he keeps those promises.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: - Acts 2:1-17
I share all this because The indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus promised to send to us, is the seal of God on our souls. It is that seal that separates those who are true followers of the way of Christ and the fake faithers.
This unbreakable seal is the mark of approval by God on our souls that announces divine ownership and salvation. This is not FDA approved, a made in America stamp, or a Harley Davidson tattoo. This is our birthmark that signifies our true birth in this life.
No amount of reciting scripture, cookies for the church bake sale, or showmanship on stage can buy you the seal. Only a real dedication to Christ and thus commitment to God gets you branded as His chosen.
We all are given the opportunity but it requires dying to the desires of the flesh and choosing God over all else, therefore only a few choose the righteous path. Those who do start that righteous path, who wear that seal like a badge of honor, are called to do more for the kingdom of God...
Who also hath made us able ministers of the New testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. - 2 Corinthians 3:6
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