Blessing of Assurance (Part 2)
Fall 2022
In continuing the theme of assurance as a work of the Holy Spirit, we should consider the following aspects of the topic.
Sealing by the Spirit
In every true believer the spirit of sonship is present. As previously observed, the believer may lose the consciousness of this fact, yet it does not affect the truth that he is God’s child. The Bible refers to this as the “sealing of the Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). Octavius Winslow explains: “The sealing of the Spirit is that act of the Holy Spirit by which the work of grace is deepened in the heart of the believer, so that he has an increasing and abiding conviction of his acceptance in Jesus, and his adoption into the family of God... He deepens the work of grace in the heart; He witnesses to the believer that he is born of God; He seals the soul to the day of redemption, and by His indwelling and anointing influences enables him to say: I know whom I have believed – He hath loved me and given Himself for me.” Doubtless in some this comes suddenly, but in others more gradually, yet He witnesses in the hearts of all believers to the truth of their salvation. The reference to a “seal” suggests spiritual truth. Seals are sometimes used on legal documents: they are “sealed” to prove their authenticity, to confirm their genuineness. Seals are placed on containers to prevent theft. In former days, instead of signing a document, a person would put his private seal upon it, showing it was from him. A seal would often be placed upon the owner's personal property to mark and protect it. The sealing of the Spirit applies in all these ways. We are sealed because we belong to Him! We are sealed because we are the genuine article! We are sealed as an act of security: He will not lose one of us! (See 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30).
Sanctification by the Spirit
The Spirit’s transforming work in us confirms the truth of His Word to us: Romans 8:1,14. His testimony to our hearts is confirmed by the changes He makes in our lives. Of course, this is not yet a perfect work. Sanctification is on-going; the progressive work of a life-time. Yet, it is true of all God's children: we are being changed! As a genuine Christian, you will be able to testify: I am now different and I know I didn’t make this change. God did it! Some people try to change themselves and miserably fail. They decide to be different, to turn over a new leaf, but find that it is not possible. However in the child of God there is very real evidence of a work of grace in the life. The Spirit of God transforms people. He changes them. Working repentance in them, they begin to walk in His ways: Ezekiel 36:25-27. Thus the grace that saves us, sanctifies us also.
Clearly the Christian does not look at his life to find any goodness in which to boast, but rejoices in graces that have been given to him by the Spirit (2 Corinthians1:12). Now, ask yourself: Have I been transformed? Am I being changed? Remember, however, that real marks of grace are more discernible by others than they are by ourselves. Too often, earnest souls are brought into bondage by forever probing into their own souls, looking for too much. The godliest people are the hardest on themselves! We see this in characters like Job, Isaiah, Peter, and Paul. Someone said: “The holiest saints on earth are invariably those who most clearly perceive, and most promptly confess the vileness of their hearts and their failures in duty; and they would be the first to confess that if assurance is derived from anything found in them or done by them, it is a privilege entirely beyond the reach of their experience.” Notwithstanding, there are true marks of grace that will found–in some degree–in every genuine Christian. The Spirit’s work is confirmed by the evidence of a changed life. See Ephesians 2:8-10. The grace of God teaches men how to live, and not just what to believe: Titus 2:11-14; 3:8. May we not only know, but show that we belong to Jesus!
Rev. Stephen Hamilton