Devotional: Sealed and Secure Ephesians 1:9-13

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation –having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13, NASB).

The suicide rate is up. The calls for domestic violence are increasing. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing an increase in stress. Stress manifests itself in various ways. The news is filled with information about the dangers of the coronavirus. This pandemic causes fear because everyone is at risk of getting the disease and everyone is a risk to give the disease to another person. COVID-19 is a non discrimination disease. No one is exempt. No one is safe. The mayors, governors, and the president of the United States daily give us updates on the progression of the disease. They tell us to follow the CDC guidelines so that this disease can be defeated. They express fear, optimism and hope. No one can say with certainty what will take place. It seems that the disease is in control.

We live in a world that is marked by a pandemic. The name of this disease is familiar to all. The name is sin and it controls every human being, and it has effects upon nature and the entirety of the universe. However, unlike COVID-19, there is a known cure for this disease. There is a way that everyone can be safe. The disease is curable, and the remedy is available to everyone.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul the apostle writes to the church to remind them that they are safe for the disease of sin. Sin continues to live in the world, and its deadly effects continue. The good news that Paul delivers to the church is that they are safe. They have been sealed because they heard and believed the gospel that has the power to save. They have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and thus they are secured. The Holy Spirit marks them as persons that are set aside as the property of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul does not promise us that we will not experience troubles and hardships in this life. Rather, in spite of the trials and tribulations that we go through, yet, we are secure. Revelation 7:1-3 tells us that there will be a day when the earth will be destroyed. There are people that will escape the destruction because they are sealed and secure. Are you sealed? I am sealed and I am secure. I have heard the gospel, and I believe the message. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He gave His life on the cross, and since I believe the truth of the gospel I am sealed, and I am secure.

Prayer: God, our Father. I thank You for the gift of salvation that provides for our safety and security in a world marked by sin. Amen.