When We Go Off the Rails

And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 ESV).

 

Have you ever found yourself in such a place that you have “gone off the rails” so badly that you believe there simply is no recovery or forgiveness possible? Almost as an afterthought the Apostle Paul gives us this clear word on the truth of Eternal Security. I know there are many long standing denominations that teach a doctrine other than this; however, I am convinced, as were the Reformers, that we cannot fall from grace. Simply stated, once we are saved, we are forever saved. Paul is explaining why he and his traveling companions were unable to come to the church in Corinth and says we are given the Holy Spirit as a seal as a guarantee of our established relationship with God.

 

Ancient seals were usually carved in stone or etched in metal, and the person using a seal pressed it into soft clay or wax to leave a symbol representing the seal’s owner. Like a signature today, a document or other object with a seal conveyed authenticity, authority, and ownership. In our verses for today, the apostle Paul uses the image of a seal to describe the Holy Spirit’s guarantee that we belong to God. As a seal, the Holy Spirit assures us that we belong to God and that nothing will ever separate us from his love (cf. Romans 8:35-39). The Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives serves as God’s mark on us, as well as a guarantee or deposit, showing that in belonging to God we will flourish and grow in our walk with Jesus.

 

This is a work of grace initiated and completed by the Holy Spirit. It is nothing we can or have done. The longer answer reminds us that once we have been saved by grace, our lives are transformed as we live our lives with the Spirit in reflecting God’s grace. That may not always look like a straight path of righteousness and godly living. Sometimes we do go off the rails. It is at those times when the work of the Holy Spirit is most evident as we are convicted of our need to repent and return to Him. Even when we may realize god’s work in our lives, it is ever on-going and eternally effective. It is never a license to sin; but, it is always an effectual answer to our sin.